Wendy Scott is one of the best known and highly regarded figures inearly education within the UK, having had extensive experience in arange of influential positions within the field.
Wendy's remarkable contribution, both at a national and at a verypersonal level, is that she combines an enviable depth of knowledge witha rare gift for quiet, gentle advocacy. Those whom Wendy has influencedare not always aware of the remarkable skills she deploys to further thecause of early education and to meet the needs of young children.
In her career, Wendy has been a teacher in a variety of schools,including leading a demonstration nursery school, lectured in earlyyears education and taught the UK's first multi-professional advanceddiploma at the Roehampton Institute (see biography).
Now, as honorary president of TACTYC, a role in which she is veryactive, she brings her considerable political knowledge to the fore. Shekeeps in touch with practice through her role as governor in an innercity nursery school and children's centre and a small rural primaryschool.
To those who know and respect her so much, Wendy is first and foremost ahighly principled advocate for the early years sector, always puttingthe rights of the child at the heart of any debate. Yet all those whospeak of her do so with genuine warmth and affection, for it is herpersonal qualities that engage practitioners at a local level and alsobeguile politicians. Her tremendous work ethic means that no stone isleft unturned, no consultation left unanswered, no report left without acritique if Wendy has been asked for her contribution. Wendy will alwaysrespond to, support and advise others, if it means that children willbenefit.
Wendy Scott is worthy of many accolades for the contribution she hasmade to early years education and it is fitting that the field, andNursery World, recognises her remarkable contribution with this lifetimeachievement award.
BIOGRAPHY
After five years as headteacher of a demonstration nursery school, Wendybecame senior lecturer in early years education and a tutor at theRoehampton Institute. Following three years as district inspector forthe early years with the Inner London Education Authority, she becamethe early years and primary inspector in The Royal Borough of Kensingtonand Chelsea, and subsequently an OFSTED-registered inspector and nurseryeducation inspector and trainer.
After six years as chair and chief executive of the British Associationfor Early Childhood Education, including nearly three years as electedvice-chair and then chair of the national Early Childhood Forum, shebecame specialist adviser to the DfES, working with Early YearsDevelopment and Childcare Partnerships and the Early Excellenceteam.
Wendy is now a freelance consultant, engaged overseas with UNICEF andthe British Council, as well as UK local authorities, and she ishonorary president of TACTYC.
