A SCIENCE technician from Tadley is among a group of Hampshire County Council employees honoured for their services to education.

Hampshire’s most dedicated and innovative education staff have been honoured in the county’s Education Awards at the Great Hall in Winchester. Award recipients were selected by fellow educators from nominations submitted by many of Hampshire’s 500-plus schools and colleges, well over 90 per cent of which are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – so again this year the bar was set very high.

Among them was Zena Chapman, of The Hurst School in Baughurst.

Zena has been a science technician at the school for 28 years. She has worked tirelessly to support every member of the Science Department and has given unwavering support and dedication to the school.

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Congratulating the award recipients and nominees, Cllr Roz Chadd, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader and executive lead member for children’s services, said: “Hampshire County Council’s Education Awards are an opportunity to say a very special ‘thank you’ to every member of staff, governor, and volunteer, whether they have been singled out for an award or not. The work of each and every one of them is important, appreciated and valued by colleagues and the County Council.

“I regularly hear of the exceptional work of teachers, lecturers, leaders, classroom and non-classroom-based support staff and volunteers in Hampshire schools and within post-16 provision across the county. Staff, governors and volunteers in our schools and colleges go above and beyond to support pupils to achieve highly, make great progress and grow into young people of whom we can feel proud, whatever their abilities.”

The awards were co-hosted by Cllr Chadd and media personality Gyles Brandreth, with entertainment from musicians from Hampshire Music Service, which provides music tuition to schools.

The full list of winners were:

  • Flying Colours Award for recently qualified teachers: Jessica Armstrong, The Mark Way School, Andover
  • Laying the Foundations Award for school staff who have focused on effective teaching and learning, and also forging excellent and innovative partnerships with families: Early Years Foundation Stage Team at Four Marks Primary School, near Alton
  • Teaching Support Award for classroom-based support staff: Zena Chapman, The Hurst School in Baughurst
  • Futures Award for staff who impact young people’s future career progression: Clare Mack, Crookhorn College, Waterlooville
  • Wider Support Contribution Award for roles outside the classroom: Wellbeing Team, Sparsholt College, Winchester
  • Education Leadership Award: Jonathan Prest, principal of Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
  • Governance Award, focusing on the contribution that governors have made to school improvement: Chris Wilson, Sparsholt College, Winchester
  • Teaching and Learning Award: Samantha Jones, Farnborough College of Technology
  • Apprentice Award for school staff undertaking an apprenticeship, with a focus on how they inspire others and the impact the apprenticeship has had on the school: Zoe Duff, Manor Infant School, Farnborough and Tia Fisher, Icknield Special School, Andover
  • Improving Life Chances Award for staff making a significant difference to disadvantaged or vulnerable children: Jeff Bird, learning support assistant at Colden Common Primary School
  • Community Impact Award, aimed at members of staff or volunteers who have contributed to partnership working between the school and its wider community: Sarah Holloway, Calthorpe Park School, Fleet
  • Outstanding Contribution to Education Award, focused on staff whose work has been transformative, or for a sustained performance over time: Jacky Halton, Headteacher at Crofton Hammond Infant School, Fareham

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