A 14-YEAR-OLD from a Dawlish special school has won an award for her progress.

Molly Baldwin, a pupil at Orchard Manor School, has been presented with the Joanna Besley Memorial Cup for her achievements and improvement in maths and English.

She is the 10th recipient of the award which was launched in memory of former pupil Joanna.

A spokesman for the school described Molly as ‘a young lady who is being noticed for all the right reasons’.

She was announced as the winner of the cup for her ‘maturity and being able to control her feelings and emotions so much more’.

The school said: ‘She has blossomed and lots of staff put her name down for a nomination.

‘She has also improved so much in her English and maths, both of which were not her favourite subjects to start with.  

‘Now she is an accomplished writer enjoying using words and she is enjoying maths.’

The cup is presented twice a year in memory of Joanna who attended the school, then called Oaklands Park, from the age of five to 19.

Her sister Caroline Phillips explained that Joanna was not given long to live as a child but loved her time at the school, making friends, learning how to do new things and gaining in strength.

Caroline said: ‘Joanna sadly passed away in 2018, at the age of 49.

‘I wanted to commemorate Joanna’s life and the love for my sister by creating the Joanna Besley Memorial Award, a large cup.

‘Joanna was so happy at Oaklands Park and with being a teacher myself, I wanted to encourage families with children with additional needs, as life can be extra stressful for them.’

The award is for ‘Outstanding Progress’ and is open to all pupils across Orchard Manor School.

The award is presented twice a year, once in the summer and once in winter and Molly is the 10th winner.  

Requests for nominations are sent out to all staff a few weeks before the ceremony. 

The nominations come in not just for school excellence and improvement, but for progress made socially or emotionally, with confidence or engagement within school or with school work. 

It is awarded for whatever outstanding progress has been noticed by the staff.

On the presentation day, Caroline comes to the school to meet the winner, often accompanied by the rest of their classmates. 

She tells them about Joanna, described as being ‘quite emotional’, and the cup is presented, inscribed with the new winner’s name. 

Afterwards there is time to chat, meet parents, talk to school mates and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake. 

Caroline said: ‘It is a happy and joyful occasion — perfect for commemorating Joanna.’