Meet our winners from Term-time awards ceremony
The stars of Northampton's schools took centre stage at the Chronicle & Echo's first Education Awards in an event to celebrate achievement and excellence.
Whistles and cheers filled the ceremony at the Freemason's Hall, near the Northampton Racecourse, as the winners of the Chronicle and Echo's first Education Awards were announced.
The ceremony, in association with The Training Space, paid tribute to the passion and dedication of schools in the town and surrounding area, as pupils, a teacher, a caretaker and a school came away with trophies and certificates from six categories.
For Hopping Hill Primary School, it was an evening of double success after they were chosen winners in the Pupil of the Year (Primary) and Inspirational Teaching Awards.
Guest speaker Paul Burnett, Northamptonshire County Council's director of children and young people's services, told the ceremony: "I am never more proud than on evenings like this evening when we gather to celebrate success.
"I would like to thank the Chronicle and Echo for organising it and for the coverage throughout the year providing very positive stories about children in Northampton and around the county."
The evening kicked off with a performance of 'Stand Up, Speak Up', a song composed by Boughton Primary School and sung by a choir made up of 10-and-11-year-olds from six Northampton primary schools: Cedar Road, Castle, Parklands, Hopping Hill, St James and Stimpson Avenue.
It was followed by the winners and runners-up being presented with awards.
Chronicle and Echo editor David Summers said: "We already know there is a lot of fantastic work going on behind those classroom doors, but not everyone knows it.
"The awards are all about recognising achievements. The panel of judges all agree the standard of entries were extremely high and this reinforces the fact that there is much to celebrate."
Other guests who attended the celebratory event included Northampton Mayor and Mayoress Councillor Michael Hill and his wife Margaret, the county council's deputy leader and former portfolio holder for children and young people, Councillor Joan Kirkbride, and her schools successor Councillor Andrew Grant.
The night was rounded up by another performance from the choir, which performed 'Kids Today', a song written for the ceremony by year seven pupil Shannon Benney.
School of the year
Castle Primary School
STAFF and children from Castle Primary collected the School of the Year title in this year's Education Awards for refusing to let barriers prevent pupil progress.
Out of the 361 pupils, three quarters of the youngsters have English as an additional language and the is ranked highly on the social deprivation factor.
The school, in Spring Boroughs, has embarked on a huge journey from being in OFSTED's special measures category to being the only primary school in the town to be judged 'outstanding.'
Their change in fortunes has been down to good leadership, team work from all staff, and support from parents in placing pupils at the heart of the school.
Headteacher Leigh Wolmarans picked up their trophy with four of his pupils, Sayeeda Begum, Keisha Njanjo, Chloe Green and Claudia Luciuk.
He said: "These four represent what our school is all about, their enthusiasm for learning and the fact that we have kicked down so many hurdles, left, right and centre, to get where we are. They have a 'Why not?' attitude and they make my day, every day."
Pupil of the year
Laura Barton, William Parker School
HEAD girl Laura Barton was presented with the Pupil of the Year (Secondary) for her contribution to William Parker School, in Daventry.
The year 11 student is an active member of the school council and works with the student and community governor committee and has been responsible for raising the profile of her secondary school.
This year she has been responsible for two key projects; raising 800 for the Helping Hands charity, improving the school's links with a voluntary organisation and working with Daventry District Housing. She was nominated by her deputy head Ruth Roberts.
Laura said: "It's lovely to be recognised. My sister screamed when they said my name, and my two teachers with me seemed really proud."
Unsung hero
Barry Saxton, Caretaker at St James CEVA Primary School
FATHER-of-four Barry Saxton, of St James CEVA Primary School, won the Unsung Hero Award after securing the public's vote.
The caretaker walked away with a trophy and certificate after gaining the overwhelming support of readers, who were asked to select their winner through the Chronicle & Echo via text, filling in a coupon and on-line.
Barry has contributed to the school in more ways than one - including as a lunch-time supervisor, first-aider and is a qualified carpenter. He has created a stage, staff kitchen work area, sheds and greenhouses.
Barry Saxton, 41, said: "It feels fantastic. To get rewarded for something that you love doing is great. It's a lovely job and working with children is great in itself, it doesn't seem like work at all.
"I stand at the gate every morning, play football with the children and I'm a lunch supervisor as well, they are lovely children and it's a lovely place to work."
Inspirational Teacher award
Heather Parker, Hopping Hill Primary School
TEACHER Heather Parker's work captured the hearts of parents and teachers alike enough to put her forward for this category.
She has been at Hopping Hill Primary School for 12 years and was a former leading maths teacher for the local authority.
Her approach, enthusiasm and passion for learning along with the progress made by pupils, showed she deserved to win the Inspirational Teaching Award.
Heather's pupil progress results have shown all of her pupils have exceeded their challenging targets in English this year.
Reacting to winning, she said: "I'm a bit overwhelmed. I feel humbled by it because I'm surrounded by superb people.
"It's all about the school I'm in, the award isn't really for me it's for the school. I don't think I would have got this award if I was somewhere else."
Pupil of the year (primary school)
Adam Saunderson, Hopping Hill Primary School
ELEVEN-year-old Adam Saunderson, of Hopping Hill Primary School, walked away with the Pupil of the Year Award.
He is chair of the school council and has been an ambassador for his Duston school, leading by example, setting high standards of conduct, attitude and positive behaviour for his peers.
Adam, who is in year six, was nominated by the school's chair of governors Christine Daly for his positive influence on others and his contribution to school life.
After being presented with the trophy, Adam said he was pleased his work in road safety and as chair of the school council has been noticed.
Adam said: "It feels really good, I enjoy the school. I love the trips and the teachers really help us learn. It's a great school."
Sports achievement award
Lawrence Marshall, Kingsthorpe College
YEAR 11 student and badminton star Lawrence Marshall was recognised for his leadership roles in-and-out of school hours in the Sports Achievement award.
The 16-year-old, of Kingsthorpe College, which has a sports specialism, took the top prize for showing his commitment to the community through his keenness to take up junior coaching.
He has been attending training courses at weekends and evenings and has taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme.
Lawrence has also been a valuable member of the Kingsthorpe Kobras Junior Badminton Club since October 2007. He has competed regularly and progressed onto the college's U17 Badminton Team. His enthusiasm and dedication has seen him join the adult's badminton club.
He said: "I feel amazing. I was quite shocked about being nominated, and I was happy to come away just as a runner up but to win is amazing. I feel privileged to be noticed."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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