In June 2007, I received the Award for Outstanding Education Reporting for National Journalists, in the annual Education Journalist of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. This was for a series of features about special education needs (Blond Bombshell, Locked in a world of silence, Not right), published in the Times Educational Supplement. Judges said: "This is innovative reporting..on issues that are rarely covered."

In 2008, I was Runner-Up in the same category, for an article in The Guardian  exposing how local authorities are failing to provide appropriate education for children with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Judges said: "Very well written. Succinct, relevant and balanced."

I was also honoured by the Polish Government in 1998, with a Silver Medal of Merit, for my role in a team which set up the first Polish language radio programme, Poles Apart, on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio, in 1991.

 

 

 

 Receiving the 2008 award from Jerry Jarvis, Managing Director of Edexcel

 

 

"Dorothy is an essential member of the SecEd team due to the high quality of her writing, her tremendous experience in the education sector, but also down to the fact that she is completely trustworthy and reliable, never missing a deadline or letting us down with copy."

Pete Henshaw, Editor, SecEd

 

Her researching of every aspect of a story, accuracy to detail and fact, and her ability to listen and give a balanced report has won Dorothy the confidence of parents who are never afraid to share their views with her.  She has the ability to make all stories interesting and brings to the forefront issues others may not feel confident to tackle.

Margaret Morrissey OBE, Parents Outloud

 

"Dorothy is skilled at distilling complex issues into accessible and readable text.  As a result of her many years of experience, she has an enormous depth of knowledge of the education service, enabling her to write informed articles which have an appeal far beyond education professionals." 

Chris Keates General Secretary, NASUWT teaching union.