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Chamber and committees

Sheelagh Rusby Wins Prestigious National Teaching Award

  • Submitted by: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
  • Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 December 2023
  • Motion reference: S6M-11555

That the Scottish Parliament congratulates Sheelagh Rusby on receiving the gold winner award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2023 Pearson National Teaching Awards in London, which, it understands, is widely considered as the Oscars of the teaching profession; recognises that Sheelagh was nominated and selected from thousands of nominees based on her inspirational teaching, contribution to her school and community, as well as influencing her colleagues; understands that Sheelagh dedicated her working life to education before retiring in 2023, after nearly four decades in the sector, having started her career as a home economics teacher in the Western Isles, where she was instrumental in developing the subject’s curriculum; acknowledges that, throughout her career, Sheelagh delivered four different exam systems, published a book chapter and contributed to the Scottish Educational Research Conference twice, while also championing community schools, enterprising skills, rural skills and developing the young workforce before these terms became part of the more recent educational terminology; understands that, while working for Dumfries and Galloway Council, Sheelagh created the Savour the Flavour programme, which brought chefs into schools to deliver masterclasses, including six chefs who began teaching practical cookery and hospitality skills to young people across the council; notes her most recent role in supporting the education system through local authority and regional improvement collaboratives; believes that Sheelagh's dedication and hard work made her an extremely valued member of the teaching profession, and wishes her well as she enjoys her retirement.


Supported by: Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Sharon Dowey, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Kenneth Gibson, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Jamie Greene, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Stephen Kerr, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Colin Smyth, Alexander Stewart, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle