Newbury Park headteacher wins award for language work from Tamil group

The headteacher of Newbury Park Primary School has been awarded the title of “exemplary egalitarian” by a Tamil group.

Colin Whitehead was awarded for his support and encouragement of different languages in the community and work with the Essex Tamil Society.

He is the first head-teacher in Redbridge to receive the accolade.

Mr Whitehead set up a “language of the month” scheme at the school, in Perryman’s Farm Road.

he scheme has been running for 14 years and encourages pupils to teach their classmates a language they speak before videos are put online for people to use.

Mr Whitehead said: “The award was a great surprise and I was deeply honoured to be recognised on behalf of the school.”

The Essex Tamil Society, based in Newbury Park, runs the Tamil Academy for children from Sri Lankan and south Indian backgrounds teaching language and cultural music and dance.