Lorraine Stobie, Headteacher at Southcraig School in Ayr has beaten off stiff competition from across Scotland to be selected as a finalist at the Scottish Education Awards 2012.
The exceptional teacher has been shortlisted for the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award to recognise her strong leadership and devotion to local children and young people, which spans her 35-year career.
She started work at Craigpark School as an instructor, having qualified as a nursery nurse, and has devoted her professional life to local children as Headteacher of Craigpark school and now as Headteacher of Southcraig school, the amalgamated Craigpark and Southpark schools.
Lorraine is a champion of South Ayrshire's most vulnerable children and is a highly skilled practitioner in the field of complex additional support needs. Her expertise in improving learning experiences for children and young people with complex needs is called upon regularly throughout South Ayrshire. She willingly supports families and schools in her own time to enable them to meet the needs of local children and young people.
Southcraig School provides a high quality education to pupils with
complex and multiple impairments. Pupils' many achievements are regularly celebrated and teaching staff develop students' personal and social skills, confidence and self-esteem.
Lorraine has devoted her professional life to South Ayrshire's most vulnerable children and their parents or carers. She fights to ensure, all children are included in their local schools and communities and has raised thousands of pounds for her schools and children's charities such as CHAS, UNICEF and Yorkhill Children's Foundation.
Brian McInroy, Head of Service and School Management for South Ayrshire Council said: "I am delighted that Lorraine Stobie, head teacher at South Ayrshire Council's South Craig Campus a school for children with additional support needs, is a finalist in the Lifetime Achievement section of the Scottish Education Awards 2012.
"Lorraine has devoted herself to improving the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable children in South Ayrshire, always putting the needs of her pupils, staff and parents first which has led to outstanding achievements by the pupils.
"Driving forward the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence is a challenge that Lorraine has relished. In her usual enthusiastic manner she has embraced new ways in which to ensure pupils with complex additional support needs gain the life skills that they need to make them as independent as possible and absorb knowledge in a fun way at school.
"Lorraine's has dedicated 35 years of her professional life to the special schools sector, leading by example and finding time to support others. During her leisure time Lorraine has raised tens of thousands of pounds for her school and children's charities.
"Lorraine is held in the very highest regard by the entire education community and we wish her success in the Scottish Education Awards 2012."
Lorraine will join finalists at an awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow on Tuesday 12 June 2012 where judges will unveil the winners of each award category.
People in South Ayrshire are being thanked for nominating their local schools, nurseries or individuals into the Scottish Education Awards 2012 so that their exceptional achievements can be recognised.
The awards, which celebrate the achievements of schools and teachers across Scotland, are open to all publicly funded schools, including secondary, primary, nursery and special schools. There are also categories to recognise and reward the dedication of teachers, head-teachers and support staff across the country.
For further information visit www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk