“Striving for the best for students” – teacher and governor awarded MBE

When Bedwas High School’s chair of governors Pamela Scourfield started teaching in 1970, education was about to take a significant change of direction.

It was the first year the school leaving age had been raised to sixteen, a big change, especially in the South Wales valleys.

Pupils who already had work lined up in jobs closely related to the coal and textiles industries were now being told to stay in school for longer.

It was a challenging time to enter the profession, but Mrs Scourfield’s teaching career went on to see her become a head of department, assistant headteacher and acting headteacher at Oakdale Comprehensive School; and an Estyn inspector and examiner for WJEC.

This life dedicated to teaching and education has now been recognised with her being awarded an MBE for her services to education.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Mrs Scourfield said the award came as a shock: “My husband picked up the email out of the blue and told me to sit down and read it carefully.

“I cried when I first read it. It was senior colleagues who nominated me, and they had said some lovely things. Being recognised by our peers, those who we worked with, is the ultimate accolade.”

After retiring in 2008, Mrs Scourfield felt she still had more to offer education, and has since used her experience as both a teacher and an inspector to become a governor.

It is her work with schools that have entered special measures that led to her MBE nomination.

After helping several schools in the valleys, Mrs Scourfield joined Bedwas High School’s governing body, where she is chair of governors.

Talking about the state of education in Wales, Mrs Scourfield continued: “I have seen a lot of change during my career, from raising the school leaving age, to the introduction of GCSEs and the national curriculum.

“So much has changed to ensure students are prepared for the world of work and are confident, but we still have work to do.

“We have to be able to identify and empathise with children who don’t enjoy school or perhaps do not realise they have problems in their private lives. There are still children leaving school who find it difficult to read and write, and that shouldn’t be happening.”

One area that Mrs Scourfield is excited about is the new curriculum in Wales, which will be introduced from September 2022.

The new curriculum will see schools given greater flexibility to deliver learning across six broad subject areas. This will include combining and collaborating across traditional subjects such as languages, literacy and communication.

Mrs Scourfield added: “The next five years will be really exciting with the implementation of the new curriculum.

“There is always resistance where people are frightened of change, but I think there are a lot of people who believe we have to move and embrace the exciting opportunities that are presented.

“We need a fresh approach to skills that allows pupils to work through problem solving. Life is full of problems and we need to learn how to identify and solve them.

“It is also important not to teach subjects in isolation, allowing skills like maths and IT to play a part across the entire curriculum.

“Like all new things, there will be hiccups, but it’s about having the determination to make things work and not be negative.”

Barbara Watts, who worked with Mrs Scourfield at Oakdale Comprehensive School, told Caerphilly Observer: “Pamela was a well-loved teacher and colleague and represented all that was good about the school, striving for the best for students and seeking to constantly improve teaching.

“Fast forward to a well-deserved retirement and she has used her mentorship skills and knowledge of best practice to help schools, support teachers and give students the education they need.

“She represents those who work quietly but actively behind the scenes to make education work for all. People like Mrs Scourfield get pleasure from witnessing change for the better knowing they were part of the process.”

Keri Cole, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Chief Education Officer, said: “Mrs Scourfield has had a significant impact in Caerphilly County Borough as a teacher, school leader and chair of governors.

“Her commitment as a nominated governor at Bedwas High School has been outstanding and her work highly praised by partners, including Estyn and the Education Achievement Service.

“Caerphilly County Borough Council is delighted to celebrate this recognition of someone so dedicated to their profession and so passionate about children’s learning.”

Those recognised in the honours list usually receive their awards at Buckingham Palace, however this year’s honours list has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is yet to be confirmed when the awards will be received.