Education Awards Winners 2017

Term Times is delighted to announce the winners of our 2017 Education Awards

View 2018's Winners

Once again, we received an impressive number of nominations highlighting the excellent work and inspiring tales of individuals, office teams and school organisations across the four award categories.

The judging panel, from Term Times and awards partner education recruitment specialists Mana Education, spent a considerable time deliberating and discussing before selecting the eventual winners.

Term Times publisher Steven Beacham says: 'Singling out educators and those who support the schools in our readership area was a tough task, the calibre of nominations was that good.

'But the judging panel is confident we have picked worthy winners who deserve recognition for their much-valued hard work and commitment.'
Maria Cadwallader, Education Manager from Mana Education, adds: 'We have been hugely impressed by all the nominees and proud to support the Term Times Education Awards for the second year running.'

 

Best Classroom Teacher
Chris Fryer-Bovair, Westfield Junior School, St Ives

Nominating Mr Fryer-Bovair, nine-year-old Ben Scantlebury described his class teacher as 'awesome'.

He told Term Times: 'You always understand what he is saying to you. 

'He gives you a perfect amount of challenge on the work you do. 

'The whole class has had a brilliant year with him; the stories that he chooses to read are awesome and he makes learning fun.

'He helps everyone choose books they will like. He helped me choose Cosmic and the Redwall series, they were brilliant - I don't know how he knew I would like them. 

'I've had the best year in Year 4 because of Mr Fryer-Bovair, he is a legend.'

A delighted Mr Fryer-Bovair, who has been a teacher for 10 years and starting his third at Westfield, said: 'I loved school and learning and want to help my pupils to do the same.

'I get to spend every day with creative, enthusiastic and imaginative individuals which is a wonderful working environment and a huge pleasure.

'It is lovely to win this award - all the more so because I was nominated by a pupil. Ben was one of a really interesting and enthusiastic class of children and is a creative and curious thinker with a real interest in the world.'

Westfield Headteacher Lucy Roberts commented: 'Chris is a fantastic teacher, who enthuses and engages the children in their learning.

'He understands the needs of the individuals in his class, encouraging and motivating them to strive to be the best that they can be. 

'We have a wonderful team of staff at Westfield and Chris has led them in developing ‘growth mindset’ ideas so children are confident to try new things, ready to learn from their mistakes and not give up.  

'Chris was hugely surprised but thrilled to receive the award; it is extremely well deserved.'

Best Primary School Achievement
Brampton Village Primary School PTA, Huntingdon

PTA Chairwoman Emma Spencer, Secretary Karen Braithwaite and Treasurer Marissa Harris were nominated by parent Dannii Summerfield, who said: 'Our PTA works tirelessly to raise essential funds for our school. 

'Without their hard work we would not have the wonderful activity frame for the children to enjoy, summer shelter which is superb and so much more. 

'They recently beat their record and raised just over £5,000 in a week by holding a summer fete, which had a tremendous turnout, and a school disco which was brilliant. 

'Thank you to the three ladies who do not get the recognition they deserve for all they do.'

Mrs Spencer said the trio were 'amazed' and grateful for the nomination and winning the award.

'Thanks to supportive parents, what is definitely a challenging job is also an enjoyable one.

'Seeing what has been achieved - all for the benefit of the children - makes it worthwhile,' she added.

Recent PTA fundraising has provided an outside classroom-cum-quiet area for the Key Stage 1 playground and the money is now in place for a Key Stage 2 shelter with benches.

Both projects cost more than £20,000 in total and the money was raised through a number of events and fundraisers including school discos, fetes, bingo evening, bring and buy 'Cake Friday' and Christmas card projects.

In the previous school year alone the PTA raised £9,000, with a record-breaking £3,000 of that at the summer fete.

In addition to funding major projects and other resources for the school, the PTA contributes to trips for every year group, every year, to help keep the cost down for parents.

The Term Times award is all the more timely as both Emma and Karen stepped down from their roles on the PTA last month, after serving more than seven years between them.

Headteacher Peter Allen said: 'We are very fortunate at Brampton Village Primary School to have a very active PTA. 

'They work hard to raise lots of money throughout the year at various events which goes towards enriching the school and curriculum with those extra resources we would not otherwise be able to afford. 

'The outdoor classroom for Key Stage 1 and Reception has already proved a big hit with the children!'

Best Teaching Assistant
Simon Owen, William Law CofE Primary School, Werrington

Reception TA Mr Owen received 10 nominations, the most ever by an individual or organisation in the two years the awards have been running.

We don't have space to publish them all, but here's just a few examples:

'This man is totally amazing. His enthusiasm, care and dedication really helped the class to grow and held it together with a change of teachers half way through the year.' 

'He's an excellent man and truly the best TA I've ever come across.' 

'He has been pivotal in our disabled daughter achieving things not thought possible in her first year at school. He is simply a legend.'

'An asset to the school and teaching alike!'

'The children adore him.'

'He brings out the very best in every child with his nurturing and caring soul.'

The final word goes to five-year-old Morgan Allen: 'Mr Owen is cool, he helps me to do things and knows everything about superheroes.'

Mr Owen joined the school last year, his first job in the education sector having previously worked as a building site labourer.

He explained: 'When my wife and I had our first son we were very young and, although it was always my ambition to get into teaching, the priority was to get a job to provide for my family.

'Then, when my son was 16, I felt like a hypocrite telling him to chase his dreams when I hadn't.

'So I took the plunge and started my teaching degree while I was still working.

'I applied for the TA job here, never thinking I'd get it, and now I am gaining fantastic experience.'

Mr Owen, who hopes to join the school as a teacher after completing his degree, said he 'deeply appreciated' all the nominations but wanted to highlight that the children's successes are a team effort by pupils, parents and the school.

William Law Headteacher Tracey Cunningham said she and the entire school were 'proud' of Mr Owen's achievement: 'He is a brilliant

Teaching Assistant, fantastic with the children and so hard working. 
'I am hoping he will become a teacher in the future, he will be excellent.'

Best Office Team
Office Manager Linda Nixon and Receptionist Joy Pollock, Abbots Ripton CofE Primary School, Huntingdon

Several parents nominated the pair, including Louisa Jones who said: 'There is no boo-boo too sore, no phone call too difficult and no emergency stationary order too complex for them to handle! 

'As a small school with few resources we really rely on them for everything from keeping the plumbing in the boys' loo up to scratch to overseeing lunch and, one week, the production of 30-odd rat masks for the KS2 play. 

'This is on top of their day job running the school office.

'They can literally turn their hand to anything and it's all done with good humour, good grace, efficiency and a welcoming smile. 

'We love them both very much and are so lucky to have them.'

The delighted duo, nicknamed the 'A-team' by Mrs Jones, said: 'What makes this award really special is that we were nominated by our school community and it’s nice to know that we are valued.'

Consultant Headteacher Claire Matthews added: 'I was delighted to hear about this award as Linda and Joy work so hard to ensure that so many aspects of school life run smoothly. 

'They will turn their hand to anything and the children love them both. 
'I am so grateful to the parents who nominated them as they truly deserve to be recognised.'