Two teachers represented the Worcestershire-based Rivers CofE Academy Trust at a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate the hard work, talent and dedication of teachers across the county.

The Rivers CofE Academy Trust was selected to acknowledge the outstanding work teachers achieve across the country.  Amanda Mason, from St Clements CofE Primary and Meg Manning from Heronswood Primary School were hosted by the Prime Minister, Teresa May and the Education Secretary, Damian Hinds. 

Amanda said: “We met and spoke to Damien Hinds and Nick Gibb, amongst many other ministers. We discussed the successes of teaching and challenges we face and shared our experiences. Teresa May gave a speech and mentioned the importance of teachers and the impact they have on individuals. She thanked us for our incredible hard work and for inspiring young people. She even said they are working to try and reduce our work load.”

Meg added: “We felt extremely privileged to be part of an event celebrating outstanding teaching.  The entire experience was surreal, from arriving at No 10 and knocking on the door, through to looking around the building and enjoying wine and canapés.”

During the event, both the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Education paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the profession which, alongside the government’s bold reforms, have helped to raise standards – with 1.9 million more children now in good or outstanding schools than in 2010.

There are 15,500 more teachers than in 2010 and the quality of new entrants into the teaching profession is at an all-time high, with almost a fifth of new teachers starting this year holding a first-class degree.