School staff scoop award
Staff at a South Tyneside school beat stiff competition to clinch a national award.
Science technicians at Whitburn CE Academy fended off fierce competition from across the UK to win the prestigious Salters’ National Awards for Science Technicians 2017.
The award also comes with a £1,000 prize.
Whitburn Academy’s Judith McKie and Jade Norris, were recently awarded the accolade for demonstrating that they were outstanding in enabling high quality practical work in science and for their dedication to profesequipment sional learning and upskilling.
The Technician of the Year Award is designed to celebrate the significant roleplayedbytechniciansin delivering outstanding support, innovation and professional development.
Judith and Jade travelled to London to accept the prize, which was presented to them by Lord Willetts, executive chairman of the Resolution Foundation and Honorary Freeman of the Salters’ Company.
Judith, head science technician at the Rackly Way school, said: “Winning this award is an amazing achievement. We feel extremely privileged and proud to have been chosen.
“Students can now benefit from microscale science as we can provide extra and resources to bring excitement back into practical science.”
Alan Hardie, Principal of Whitburn CE Academy, said: “Delivering high quality practical lessons in science is integral to engaging pupils and helping them to achieve great success in examinations.
“As the majority of our pupils take separate sciences at GCSE, and biology, chemistry and physics are among our most popular A-level subjects, Judith and Jade have a huge task in helping staff prepare for practical lessons.
“They’ve achieved a great deal in extending the range of practical activities, which students can experience for themselves and they thoroughly deserve the recognition that the award brings.”