Sarah Dickinson

Primary School Teacher, Blakehill Primary School

In 2024 I won the Telegraph and Argus Primary and Early Year Teacher of the Year award.

Why I chose to attend Leeds Trinity

After I finished school I became a riding instructor, at the time I was convinced that I would never go to university, as I didn’t think I was clever enough. But deep down I always wanted to be a teacher. One day, I wasn’t having the best of days and I just decided then, right, I’m going to do it, I’m going to become a teacher. One of the people I was teaching to ride at the time was a Headteacher, she recommended Leeds Trinity to me. Some family members had also studied here as well.

My time at Leeds Trinity

I arrived at Leeds Trinity as a mature student. Studying at Leeds Trinity was four years of hard work and I never envisaged I would enjoy it as much as I did. I absolutely loved the placements I undertook and they were a real highlight of my time studying. My first one was at Cottingley Village Primary School. Being on placement here reinforced to me that I had done the best thing possible in training to be a teacher.

My second placement was at Sutton-in-Craven, and when I graduated a teacher was on maternity leave so I was able to secure a role here for a year. Having done my placement here meant that I already knew the school and the people, so it was a very smooth transition.

Other fond memories

My specialism was PE, so my favourite times were the PE lessons. The practical lessons were like being back in school and I don’t recall ever laughing as much! I met a very diverse group of people on the course, probably people that normally I would never speak to.

Key skills I left Leeds Trinity with

We spent a lot of time in lectures really thinking about how we would use things in the classroom effectively, everything was very practical. I was able to pick up so many tips as so many of the lecturers have been teachers, so they knew the job inside out and how to handle yourself in the classroom. There was no sugar coating, you were very much made aware of both the joys and the challenges you would face.

Supportive lecturers

I always knew that I could go and ask for advice and what would come back to me would be the most up-to-date practices and procedures. I have stayed in contact with several of my lecturers and I still speak to them about best practice today and they are always on hand to give me further advice.

Starting at Blakehill Primary School

When I arrived at Blakehill Primary, in 2014, I just knew that this was my ‘forever school.’ The school is known for being one of those places where you just don’t leave, as it has such a nice family feeling, everybody knows everybody and cares about everybody.

Award recognition

In 2024 I won the Telegraph and Argus Primary and Early Year Teacher of the Year award. 

The award means a great deal to me, but the biggest thing is that the award was for all of us – it is all to do with the team. I couldn’t do my role without the incredible support I have from the rest of the team and I’m so pleased that all the team were there at the awards ceremony. We all celebrated the award at assembly on the following Monday.

My advice to others thinking of becoming a teacher

There are so many positives to being a teacher. I feel very lucky teaching at Blakehill Primary, every day goes so fast, it is busy but always different. You can laugh all day and it is a lovely environment to be in where everyone is always there for you. There are so many opportunities to be creative.