In my experience, schools do not do anything like enough to encourage young people to get involved in initiatives and awards scheme like the Philip Lawrence Awards. Stimulating and exciting educational opportunities are being missed…NASUWT will continue to support the Philip Lawrence Awards and attempt to publicise the achievements of our young people through our own magazine Teaching Today. Hopefully, through the examples of award-winning projects which we continue to publicise, schools will be motivated to help their young people to join the scheme.

I believe there to be a number of ways in which the Philip Lawrence Awards benefit young people. Firstly, they commemorate a wonderful, inspiring headteacher who laid down his life in attempting to protect one of his pupils beyond the call of duty. Philip could easily have ignored what was happening outside his school on that fateful day. This example of his selfless dedication demonstrates to young people that those responsible for their education care about their health, safety and welfare. Secondly, participation in the Philip Lawrence Awards gives the lie to those who denigrate our young people and write off a whole generation because of the stupid and anti-social behaviour of a minority.

Finally, the young people who participate in projects and schemes which are nominated for Philip Lawrence Awards grow in confidence and discover their capacity for self-reliance, initiative and care and concern for their peers.
Jerry Bartlett, Deputy General Secretary, NASUWT

www.nasuwt.org.uk