We’re super excited to announce that Thursday 26^th May is Thank A Teacher Day! The last two years have put a huge strain on all areas of our lives. So, we’re continually astounded by what schools have achieved in the face of the pandemic.

Of course, with our thank you messages, every day can be Thank A Teacher Day, but it’s also great to have 26^th May as that extra special day. What teachers and schools have done, and continue to do, for our communities across the country is certainly worth celebrating.

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said:

“For so many of us, it was someone at school who changed our lives, was at our side through hard and difficult times, who lifted us up when we were down, helped us find our voice, gave us confidence when we needed it most, set us on a path that we have followed ever since.

“No matter who we are, school has touched our lives and played a central role in our childhoods. School is about so much more than learning, and we see that now more than ever before. Every person that cares for our children in schools should be celebrated loud and clear on Thank A Teacher Day 2022.”

There are so many things that make schools special. Of course, pupil progress in academic subjects is vital, but the pandemic has shone an even stronger light on the importance of all the other great work schools do. Schools offer consistency in uncertain times, they help children make sense of the outside world, and they strive to give every child a sense of belonging.

Dedicated school staff provide children with a calm and supportive space to build bright futures, and also to rebuild lives as we welcome refugees in their time of need.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to share some stories with you of all the things teachers and other school staff do to make life better for children and their families. We’ll tell you all about how one school has implemented a series of extra-curricular sessions to benefit students’ mental and physical health.

You’ll read about schools promoting healthy lifestyles through food, exercise, and mindfulness. And how a school is encouraging empathy and inclusivity through British Sign Language form time sessions.

Right now, the world seems a scary place for some children. Teachers and schools help them make sense of that world and provide comfort and reassurance. And you can see this in the thank you messages:

“We would like to thank Mr Fox.  At the time of writing this, Ukraine has been invaded by Russia. Many of the children were very anxious about the situation and so Mr Fox took time after school to try to answer their questions. My daughter came home much more informed and reassured. Thank you Mr Fox!”

As we move through our post-pandemic world, schools and the services they provide look very different:

“Perry Wood Primary school staff are amazing. They went above and beyond during the pandemic and have continued to support the community. They’ve set up a family hub to help with housing, bills and writing CVs for jobs. They have kept school normal for the children. Every day staff are on the gates giving that smile of encouragement. It is a true family – everyone supporting each other.”

This year’s campaign is gearing up to be one of the best ever, with big name celebrity supporters and exciting competitions to be announced next month.

Children will be encouraged to let their creativity flow, thanking everyone that makes schools so special with songs, poems, and pictures to show what they mean to them, using the hashtag #ThankATeacherDay to join in.

The messages will be shared across the UK on Thursday 26 May when the country joins together in celebrating the true legacy that teachers and schools bring to everyone – from Prime Ministers, to scientists, to celebrities, to care workers, to doctors and nurses – everyone has a person at school to thank for where they are now.

Can you think of a teacher or another member of staff at your school who you could thank? It could be a teaching assistant, a caretaker, a member of catering staff, a learning mentor.

It could be that History teacher, like Mr Fox, who stayed behind after school to explain the situation in Ukraine to a group of worried teenagers. Those students walked away feeling safer in the knowledge he shared with them.

It could be a TA who has promised not to retire until your son leaves school, because the difference she has made to his life has been phenomenal. You’ll read about her in a later blog post. What a star.

Mary Palmer, CEO of The Teaching Awards Trust, said:

“We continue to receive thank you messages for all those special people who work in our schools, and we know how much these mean to every single one of them. It’s wonderful to see so much support for our tremendous school staff across the country. They deserve every Thank You they receive and so much more, and I’d encourage everyone to join us in celebrating how special our schools really are on Thursday 26^th May.

“We can’t wait to see all the brilliant Thank You videos, pictures, songs and poems come flooding in.”

Have you got a member of school staff in mind for a well-deserved thank you message? You can send them one right here.