Seven teachers win Gazette Education Awards

The Gazette Education Awards with its Principal Sponsor Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is often seen as the highlight to the year for schools across the region.

And despite the limitations of social distancing, our readers have come up with some excellent candidates across seven categories. *

Bill Browne, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, said: “Although we could not have a night of live tributes in our usual style, we could not let 2020 go without telling you about some of the excellent people who make our schools great places to learn.”

Once again pupils, parents and fellow teachers have put forward the names of those people they think should be rewarded in each category. Their details were then given to independent judges to come up with their winners.

Bill added: “We thank all of those who participated this year and, in particular, we are grateful for our sponsors continued support.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet member for Borough Development and Improvement Cllr Rebecca Bean said: “We were proud to be involved in the Education Awards and it was a real privilege to judge the Innovation award.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to staff and volunteers across all levels of education in our borough who have gone above and beyond this year to support young people and their families and who have shown great creativity during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Lisa Armstrong, owner of Active Staff, said it had been an honour to judge the Leadership category.

“This year has been like no other, where leadership and flexibility has been in the forefront of our minds.  Leadership is key to all sectors and it was a pleasure to read all nominations where this has been displayed.    

“We’ve all had to think differently, be adaptive and yet still find a way to be successful and deliver above and beyond, through challenging and restricting times.”

She added that the top three in her category “Have all been able to demonstrate ways in which they have overcome challenges in unprecedented times.”

Brian Pope, Assistant Director for Education and Inclusion with Hampshire County Council, said there was a case for celebrating all teachers this year.

As sponsors of the Secondary School Award, he said teachers really had gone the extra mile this year and he said they really wanted to say thank you to the whole of the teaching profession.

Cath Longhurst, from the Basingstoke Consortium, said judging their category was an almost impossible task: “any one of them could have won. I guess that the key message needs to be how much all of these, and so many other teachers, have given of their own time and gone well above and beyond to support their children, particularly through all of these Covid challenges.

“It is sad it can't be a real live event, but it is great that you are doing something to mark this anyway.”

*(The number of categories were reduced in 2020 due to the unusual circumstances)

Innovation Award (sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

Winners: George Marshall-James (left) and Tom Roberts – Cranbourne

Runners up: Michael Watkinson – Aldworth; Kirsty Sayers – Cranbourne

George and Tom were jointly nominated by Helen Ward, who said they have taken on a huge responsibility by managing Key Stage 4 GCSE delivery between just two of them in their first year at Cranbourne School.

The two history teachers helped the school in transitioning to online classes since March this year.

Ms. Ward said: “At our school, we were given the problem of home-learning to solve, without any tool in place that staff or students were familiar with. Yet in the space of a week (or less) we were given devices, a software platform and one short staff training session. Assured that students had logins and a short guide document to get them online with us, most staff went ahead with their lessons, delivering to a formal timetable for all year groups, including three lessons a day for Year 10. 

“Overall we were performing well, however, everything George and Tom do is taken to another level, with their technological ability, confidence to experiment and passion for their subject. Teamed with their exquisite rapport with each other, and their students, they have mastered all aspects of what our online platform can do, and are now creating quality resources for history which will serve as valuable, re-usable lessons for independent learning, revision and numerous other activities in coming school years – far beyond this lockdown situation. 

“Not only are they engaging more students in their online lessons than they might without these innovations, but they are also capitalising on this software to improve the history department’s repository of teaching resources and fully plan to continue exploiting this technology in the future.

“Their creativity and energy is inspiring and can do nothing but good for both history students and the school as a whole.”

Reacting to the news of the award, George Marshall-James said it is an honour to get the award so early in their careers.

“We feel so lucky to have been part of a movement of education that has enabled us to move our teaching online and with the support of the school during this pandemic we have been able to develop a innovative online teaching system.”

“We would not of been able to achieve this without the support of our school which so many of members of staff have gone above and beyond to support their pupils. To have played even a small part in the Cranbourne Team has been an exciting journey which saw us as a school ensure we had online learning from day one of lockdown.

“Credit has to go to our pupils who continue to be so resilient and so inspiring in such a tough year. To have won the innovation award has really topped off a year that has been quite extraordinary and challenging for teaching.”

Secondary School Award (sponsored by Hampshire County Council’s Education Personnel Services)

Winner – Hayley Hockley, Cranbourne School

Runners Up - Sian Coultress- Aldworth School; Claire Young – Costello

Hayley was nominated by Thomas Roberts, who said her commitment helped significantly improve the literacy skills of students with dyslexia at Cranbourne School. 

Head of Resourced Provision for students with dyslexia, Hayley plans, organises and runs The Unit, which has around 25 students from year 7 to year 11. The Unit helps dyslexic students get full access to the curriculum.

Mr. Roberts said: “Hayley has timetabled lessons with the students, with a specific focus on areas of weakness. By the end of the lesson, students achieve the aim by involving a variety of activities that Hayley plans to play to the specific students’ strengths. These can range from team activities involving sports or the use of technology with software that helps children improve their phonics.

“This year, Hayley has dedicated her own time after school on Fridays to work with the year 11 students. She would be in The Unit until 5 pm on Fridays working with the students and preparing them for their GCSE exams and practicals. She would go over every subject, making sure they have understood the week’s lessons and their homework is up to date. Hayley is very flexible and has a talent for having cross-curriculum knowledge in all subjects at Cranbourne. 

“Hayley would even go the lengths of spending her own money to make sure the students have all the ingredients they need for their Food and Nutrition GCSE practical. This proves the dedication that Hayley has for her students. I know the Year 11 students appreciate Hayley’s support and help on Friday afternoons and I could see the improvements being made in my history lessons, especially with the answer structures of GCSE history questions which is something the students would find challenging. In the end, the students will achieve highly in their GCSEs due to Hayley's guidance and mentoring throughout their years at Cranbourne.

“The Unit is also a safe place for students within the school. This is created by the wonderful calming atmosphere Hayley has put in place at The Unit. The students part of The Unit will often feel self-conscious about their language skills and sometimes defeatist with school work saying that they can't do it and will approach Hayley for help. Hayley has a lovely manner with the students and you can see that the students have trust and belief in her. Hayley builds on her professional relationship with the students over the years. The year 7s start off being wary at a new secondary school, but Hayley soon eases their worries and welcomes them to Cranbourne with open arms. You can see the confidence of The Unit students grow throughout the year which is lovely to witness and a result of Hayley’s nurturing and dedication towards the students. The parents of the students also recognise Hayley’s professionalism and appreciate the effort she goes to.”

Reacting to the award, Hayley said she was surprised and deeply honoured to have been nominated by parents and colleagues and to have won.

“It means a great deal to have my work recognised and appreciated,” she said.

“The students I teach in The Resourced Provision are faced with overcoming barriers to their learning but they always do this with good humour and continued perseverance. It is a privilege to teach these students and see them achieve all that they set out to and, often, much more.

Nursery/ Primary Teacher Award – (Basingstoke Consortium)

Winner - Miss Jodi Ribeiro, Rucstall School

Runners Up - Cath Healy, North Waltham Primary School

Judge Cath Longhurst said of the winner: “This teacher showed her dedication to all her children and made sure they all felt cared about during this really difficult time.”

She was nominated by Jo Sullivan, who said: “Miss Ribeiro is a very special teacher, she is brilliant with each and every member of her class. During the coronavirus she sent Easter cards to every child in her class, writing a special note to each of them.”

Ms. Ribeiro reacted to the award by saying it is a big honour, as she shared the success with all her colleagues.

“I did nothing more than every other teacher. But I’m honoured to win this award. It’s nice to get a recognition.”

Leadership Award – (Sponsored by Active Staff)

Winner - Martine Sadie, St Anne's Primary School

Runners Up - Hayley Hockley, Cranbourne School; Mrs. Rogers, Great Binfields Primary School

Judge Lisa Armstrong said Martine is a real ambassador for the school. Huge congratulations Martine, you are an inspiration to your teachers and families. Without your exceptional and strong leadership, the future of the school may have been very different.

She was nominated by Andy Konieczko, who said Martine became acting-head in early 2019 when the school had recently had a poor Ofsted inspection. “A lot of work needed to be done to bring the school back into line; staff and parents were anxious; and the school was being forced to become an academy, against the wishes of many parents.

“Despite being one person down (due to there being no cover for the head while she was absent), Martine - supported by her Senior Management Team of Liz Larcher and Rosh Turner – pulled together and started turning things around.

“Processes were overhauled to address the issues identified by Ofsted, with an interim inspection showing that considerable progress had been made in just a short space of time. 

“Martine's success was recognised when she was made the permanent head of school after the previous headteacher stepped down at the start of the 2019/20 academic year. She continues to lead the school, now an academy, with the support of the Senior Management Team. 

“The new processes that Martine introduced during the first half of 2019 are now firmly embedded in the school. A new Parent Council has improved the relationship between the school and parents. And new ideas have been introduced, including innovations such as bringing in a reading dog to help children better engage and improve their core skills.”

Ms. Sadie said she was very humbled to be nominated for this award.

“Like all leaders up and down the country, ensuring the best outcomes for the children in our care, is reliant on a committed management team with a shared vision, particularly in the current pandemic.

“Consequently, this is a shared award with the deputy heads Roisin Turner and Liz Larcher and our executive principal Bill James. Together, our shared vision of ‘children first’ has enabled us to implement new initiatives, improve practice and continue on our mission to provide the best care for our children and families in our Catholic community and beyond.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the St. Anne’s staff and governors for all their support and commitment to our school.”

Community Involvement Award (Sponsored by David Wilson Homes Southern)

Winner – Claire Young, Costello School

Runner Up – Kirsty-Anne Sangway, Manor Field School

Claire was nominated by Cheryl Standing, who said: “Claire is a super teacher and amazing tutor to my daughter. Throughout covid-19, she has led a team to create and supply thousands of face visor shields to the NHS, care homes and nursery schools. This has been vital to many in Basingstoke including my own day nursery workplace. I’m really grateful for how hard she works and what a great job she does.”

Reacting to the award, Ms. Young said she felt humbled and was truly grateful.

“I was aware of the short fall in PPE when we first went into lockdown in March and knew that I could use my D&T skills and The Costello school’s laser cutter to help solve a real-life problem. I also knew that I couldn’t sit back and not do anything. I sourced the materials needed from APL Plastic, a local company, adapted a design for the visors and went into production.  I was supported by the site team and many of my fellow teachers, especially Kim Bray, Emma Turner, Dee Dinsey, Ann Kelly and Chris Roberts (from Testbourne School). “We finished up by making over 5,000 visors and 500 ear savers. We are still involved with this project and are still supplying different local companies and charities.

“I set up a JustGiving page and The Costello School have donated £1000, from the proceeds, to Basingstoke Hospital's paediatric department.

“This award is not just for me but for all of them and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way from Marcus at APL Plastics to Mark Wilks from Hampshire Hospitals. And not forgetting all the wonderful key workers we at The Costello School have helped through these times who truly show what community spirit is all about.”

Science Award (Sponsored by Queen Mary’s College)

Winner – Claire Young, Costello School

Claire, who also won the Community Involvement Award, was nominated for the Science and Technology Awards by Ian McFarland and Emma Turner.

Mr. McFarland said: “Claire has made 3,000 plus items of visors for NHS and many other front line workers, all over and above her ‘day job’ as a teacher, she has spent many weekends and school holidays to achieve this. She has also helped out other schools to do the same.”

Ms. Turner said: “Claire has worked tirelessly since the lockdown to use her skills in design technology to support the community in which she teaches. She has produced thousands of visors for the local hospitals, care homes, dentists, doctors, schools, and nurseries. The list goes on.

“I asked why she was doing it (and doing it relentlessly for so long!) and she said that she felt she could do something to help, so she did.

“And she’s done all this while still supporting her students and colleagues! Truly inspirational.”

Volunteer Award (Sponsored by the Apollo Hotel)

Chris Roberts, Testbourne Community School

The winner was nominated by Kerry Roberts, who was happy to see Chris’ efforts to make visors on the school laser printer for NHS and frontline workers were successful.

Ms. Roberts said: “Chris did this in collaboration with the Costello School, and both schools jointly have made more than 2000 visors. Furthermore, they have made, scrubs, scrub bags and ear savers.

“£4000 was raised on Just Giving to help make the visors, the rest will be donated to the NHS. 

“Both Claire Young (Costello) and Chris Roberts (Testbourne) deserve huge recognition for going above and beyond for the safety of our amazing NHS. I am proud to know them both and both are worthy winners of Volunteer of the Year.”

Mr. Roberts said he is honoured to have been recognised for the project, but thanked Ms. Claire Young for her support.

“Without Claire, this would not have been possible.”

“I also need to thank Testbourne school for their support with the equipment and the generous individuals who donated to make it all possible. Thank you all.”