Worcestershire Education Awards 2023 - the finalists

With just hours to go before the winners of the awards are announced at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern tomorrow evening (Thursday, April 20) here's a reminder of the finalists in each of the 12 categories.

Community Involvement Award - sponsored by Kidz & Kitz

The three finalists are:

• Debutots Worcestershire, run by former teacher Kirsten Reeves, offers multisensory classes for children that blend storytelling, drama and imaginative play. Debutots Intergenerational Project partners with care homes and preschools for story sessions.
• Sytchampton Primary School’s Parent Teacher Association has worked tirelessly to support the school by being “creative and resourceful”. The PTA has helped in submitting bids for replacement mobile classrooms through their “relentless” fundraising drive.
• Discover History has been at the heart of the community in raising awareness of the history on our doorstep. From visiting schools to delivering guided tours; Discover History reaches out to all walks of life.

Secondary School of the Year - sponsored by Broadmark Doors

The three finalists in this category are:

• Kidderminster’s Holy Trinity School- Holy Trinity has been described b parents as an “exceptional place for children to learn and get the right support”. The school say that school should be “exciting and fulfilling” and an experience that children will look back on with“genuine happiness”
• Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester. Blessed Edwards puts young people, their families and their faith at the heart of all they do. Blessed Edward’s is a Catholic college committed to “gospel values and personal achievement”.
• Baxter College in Kidderminster - Baxter College hopes to empower all of its students to take responsibility for their own learning and unlock their potential by providing them with a range of opportunities to prepare them for their next steps.

Independent School of the Year - sponsored by ASH Family Law

The three finalists in this category are:

•  Bowbrook House School in Peopleton- a mixed independent school for children aged from three to 16. The school prides itself on being a ‘happy and hardworking’ community where children benefit from a wide range of opportunities.
•  Norton College College Worcester - supports young people who are not able to benefit from mainstream education by removing the barriers to learning. The school works with young people with challenging behaviours (SEMH) from 11-19 years old, who have had unsuccessful educational experiences in the past.
• Gloverspiece School in Droitwich- staff use the principles of care farming – engaging with land, nature and animals to build confidence and re-engage learners with education at their own speed

Unsung Hero Award - sponsored by Dragon Star Security Ltd

The three finalists are:

• Rosemary McNamara joined Little Lodge Nursery, in Spetchley, Worcester, in 1998. Fast forward 20 years and she was promoted to nursery manager. Rosemary is described as being a “truly inspirational leader”.
• Rachel Hickman has worked at St John’s Primary School in Kidderminster for nine years. She is currently a Year 4 teacher and says that she loves her job because “every day is different”. Rachel has been described by parents as being “an absolute star”.
• Helen Harding is at the heart of community group Discover History. This is a role that she enjoyed since 2003. Helen has been described as a “dedicated individual” despite significant health battles in recent years.

Special Education Needs Award - sponsored by Horizon

The three finalists are:

• Daniel McEvilly is the Special Educational Needs co-ordinator at St John’s Middle School Academy in Bromsgrove. This year, Daniel (who is dyslexic himself) qualified to be an assessor. The person who nominated Daniel praised the school for going the ‘extra mile’ for children with special needs.
• Cathryn Yeomans, from Ipsley Middle School in Redditch, has been described as ‘passionate, kind, caring and understanding’. Ms Yeomans also works as a Year Seven and Eight English teacher.
• Gloverspiece is ‘completely unique’ according to those who nominated it. Set up on a care farm six years ago to teach children who were struggling in mainstream schools, the school uses the principles of care farming.

Teacher/Lecturer of the Year - sponsored by The Development Manager

The three finalists are:

• Emma Mardell - a Year Four teacher at The Orchards School in Bromsgrove. Emma was highly praised by nominees for being “ amazing, wonderful and selfless’.
• Greg Satterley is a teacher at Bretforton Village School but was nominated by a parent of a pupil at Bengeworth CofE Academy, where he taught previously. The nominee said Greg was an “outstanding” teacher with the ability to make each pupil feel valued.”
• Trudy Hopley is a teacher at Gloverspiece School. “The children all respect her and listen to her. Trudy really is one of those teachers you never forget whether a child or an adult.I wish I had been taught by her as a child. She’s just amazing.” summed up one nomination.

Nursery/Childcare Worker of the Year - sponsored by Witley Jones

The finalists in this category are:

• Stacey Hope - Stacey is credited with transforming the lives of three to four-year-olds at Magic Moments nursery in Kempsey. Parents say she does incredible work, creating a caring environment for the nursery children, always bringing energy and enthusiasm to every day.
• Karen Hopkins - Karen has been with Cornmeadow Early Years & Families for 20 years during which time she has worked her way up to deputy manager. The nursery describes Karen’s passion and dedication to the children as ‘outstanding’.
• Emma Smith - Emma started at Cornmeadow Early Years & Families at a young age and is now part of the nursery’s senior management team. She is described as “passionate, hardworking and positive with a wonderful caring manner”.

Early Years Education Award - sponsored by Guardian Jewellery

The finalists in this category are:

• Cornmeadow Early Years & Families is a family-run business that has just received its second Outstanding Ofsted inspection. Inspectors said its staff go above and beyond to support, teach and care for every child who attends.
• Little Lodge Nursery is described as a wonderland for children. It is a multi-award winning, indepan endent nursery which looks after 70 children aged three months to pre-school The nursery has gone from strength to strength since new owners took over in 2019 and is now rated ‘outstanding’.
• Mini Explorers is a nature nursery and is held totally outdoors, based in the woods near Droitwich. The children learn in a natural way, in their natural environment.

Headteacher of the Year Award - sponsored by Worcestershire Children First

The finalists in this category are:

• Emily Calvert - Emily Calvert has been headteacher at North Worcester Primary Academy since 2019. As its first headteacher, she’s had the enviable role of building the school from scratch and has thrown all her energy into creating a strong and ethical community.
• Lynne Duffy - Enthusiastic and motivated are the words used to describe Lynne, who runs Gloverspiece Minifarm.The school is based at a care farm near Droitwich and helps those that are struggling in mainstream education by using land, nature and animals to build their confidence.
• Rebecca Scully-Rebecca Scully is the executive headteacher at AbbeyPark Federation of schools. The family of schools includes an outstanding pre–school, a teacher led nursery,a first school and a middle school and prides itself on pastoral care.

Primary School of the Year - sponsored by Marshall Toyota 

The finalists are:

• Northwick Manor Primary School has been described as “an exceptional school which puts children at the forefront of everything”. Their vast range of activities in school help to “strive to bring the best out in everyone” while helping children learn about important issues.
• North Worcestershire Primary has been nominated for being a “fun school with teachers that bring out the best in pupils”. The school has been described as “being supportive and having a family feel”.
• Oasis Academy Warndon was highly praised by nominees. “The care they have for the children is incredible and the way they conduct themselves around parents is astonishing.”

New Teacher of the Year - sponsored by midfurn

The finalists are:

• EmilyRoberts -Emily teaches biology and biochemistry to 16 to19-year olds as well as teaching BTEC access students at Heart of Worcestershire College. Emily is described as ‘extremely adaptable’ and someone who works really hard to support students.
• Charlotte Smith- “Incredibly kind and thoughtful’ is how Charlotte has been described. Charlotte started her career at Birchen Coppice Academy, in Kidderminster, this school year and is already making her mark. 
• Aimee Wainwright - Aimee joined Northwick Manor Primary School as a new teacher a few years ago and has become a much-valued member of staff. Her enthusiastic and cheerful approach to all that she does has made her a firm favourite with everyone.

Support Staff of the Year - sponsored by Midland Tops

The finalists are:

• Lewis Boulton - Lewis provides administrative support for the School of Humanities’ Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses at the University of Worcester. He was praised by those who nominated him for his “dedication, attention to detail, initiative and unfailing kindness and good humour”.
• Natalie Hothi- Early Years teaching assistant Natalie has worked at Sytchampton Primary School since 2017. She is described as “one of the warmest and caring people you could ever hope to meet”.
• Averil Thomas - A learning support assistant with almost 30 years experience, Averil was nominated by the parent of a child with Down Syndrome who she supports at St Clement’s CE Primary School in Worcester.