Reluctant star puts emphasis on team

Photo: Darren Robinson

ABSOLUTE star . . . Chris Peirson

DEDICATED Chris Peirson has helped to transform the lives of some of the borough’s most vulnerable children.

But the modest senior deputy head teacher at Oldham’s Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) prefers to remain in the background when praise is being handed out.

Now she has now been thrust firmly into the limelight after being nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Chris started teaching in 1984 and joined the PRU 10 years ago, initially working with young children who had been permanently excluded from school.

The unit caters for young mums, youngsters too ill to attend school and children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

“I like seeing the difference that we make to children and parents, and seeing the children move on and succeed,” said Chris (48).

“You are always proud of the children’s achievements. That’s what keeps you wanting to come in. The children come here, some need more support than others, and you hope that when they leave you have made a difference and they are prepared to move on to their next placement, mainstream school, work or college.

“I am very proud to be nominated but I just feel there are a lot of other people who deserve it more than me.

“I do not like to be the focus of attention — I like to be part of a team. The achievements of the centre are the result of the team working together — it’s not an individual thing.”

Chris was nominated by head teacher Nikki Shaw, who described her as an absolute star.

She said: “Chris is the most dedicated teacher I have worked with. She is totally committed to making a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and their families.

“She always carries out her work with great professionalism, but the only area she could improve on is accepting praise where it is due.

“Her modesty often results in Chris remaining in the background but in reality she is one of the main reasons why the PRU is as successful as it is.”