Top marks all around! Celebrating the very best in education at our awards
SPECIAL students, amazing apprentices, terrific teachers and super staff were celebrated at the glitzy LeicestershireLive Education Awards 2020 last night. The glittering virtual awards saw nominees come together from the comfort of their homes to recognise the amazing achievements and brilliant work of the county’s schools and further education colleges.
Hosted by Des Coleman live from the LeicestershireLive studio, 14 awards were given to those who had gone the extra mile.
Categories included Music Excellence, Science & Maths, Beating the Odds and Headteacher of the Year, each highlighting some of our region’s most impressive individuals and groups.
Perhaps the most hotly-contested award was the School of the Year award, which was this year sponsored by Aspire People.
It was won by the Humphrey Perkins School, which has moved from Ofsted Special Measures to Good in the past couple of years.
Judges recognised the hard work that had gone into the school’s fantastic turnaround, being particularly impressed by the emphasis that the school had put on fundraising for the community and taking care of the wellbeing of its teachers.
The wider community joined in the celebrations, tuning in on the LeicestershireLive Facebook page to see the ceremony.
An award which really inspired those joining us for the occasion was the University of Leicester Outstanding Education Citizen Award.
Reserved for an exceptional person, chosen from all nominations from all other categories, the award is dedicated to someone who embodies the values of a true Leicester citizen.
This year, it was given to Abi Mortiboys from Thomas Estley College, who also won the Community Champion Award.
Described as a kind, communityminded student, Abi endured a tough year, experiencing two personal bereavements.
Despite these difficult experiences, Abi threw herself into fundraising for a Memorial Peace Garden, to help others deal with their grief.
Details of Abi’s achievements, as well as those of all of our other winners, are detailed in the section to the right.
SCIENCE AND MATHS
Sponsored by Fullhurst Community College
Kayan Kotecha, Roundhill Academy: During lockdown, Kayan participated in a Learning in Lockdown virtual work experience placement for which he received one of the top accolades: Best Written Report. Kayan’s report for the Esteem Pavilion in Dubai was judged by of the directors, Steve Spilsbury, who said that the ‘excellent’ report was ‘almost of a professional standard’.
HEADTEACHER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College - Midlands Academy Trust
Dave Bennett, The Winstanley School: A dedicated and positive individual, Dave has worked relentlessly to put resources in place so students could study at home during lockdown, loaning computers to those who needed them. Dave also made sure that families didn’t go without food during the pandemic, coming up with several ways to support the community.
SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by R.E.A.L Education
Julie Waltham, Ashmount School: As a special educational needs school, Ashmount is home to pupils with a range of learning difficulties, autism spectrum conditions and physical and medical needs. School cook Julie ensures they have a healthy, enjoyable meal at lunch, and worked single handedly during the pandemic to keep the infection risk low.
BEATING THE ODDS
Sponsored by Braunstone Frith Primary School
Ed Pole, NWSLC: A sporty, popular and kind student, Ed competed in BMX racing on a national level. In Year 10, Ed was injured competing, spending months in hospital. A spinal injury resulted in him losing the use of his legs and lower body, but he worked hard to return to school and achieve eight GCSEs.
INSPIRATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Avanti Schools Trust
Liam Grest, Bosworth Academy:
Liam passionately leads and delivers a diverse and engaging PE curriculum. In addition to supporting his fellow teachers, Liam plays a huge role in the pastoral support of students. He always makes time for any student in need, spending numerous hours per week listening to and mentoring those who are having a hard time.
RECENTLY QUALIFIED TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Achieve with TELA Primary and Secondary Teacher Training
Saarah Ibrahim, Fullhurst Community College: Saarah is an enthusiastic history teacher with a desire for students to love her subject as much as she does. She never shies away from challenges and strives to help her pupils achieve. She even took on an intervention group of Year 11 students partway through the year to prepare them for their GCSEs.
SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Aspire People
Humphrey Perkins School: Humphrey Perkins was placed in
Ofsted Special Measures in June 2017, but turned things around after joining the Lionheart Academies Trust in 2018. Now rated Good, the school prioritises the mental health and wellbeing of staff and students, fundraises for good causes and recently won a Carnegie Award.
MUSIC EXCELLENCE Sponsored by PPL PRS
Sebastian Carrington, Leicester: Aged just 14, Sebastian has already achieved the top grade 8 in singing, piano, organ and musical theory. In addition, he has earned ABRSM diplomas in singing and piano, and would have sat a similar diploma for organ had the pandemic not struck. Sebastian established the Broughton Astley Children’s Choir too, among other musical endeavours.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Sponsored by Hastings Direct
Abi Mortiboys, Thomas Estley College: Abi has endured a particularly tough year, experiencing two personal bereavements, one of which was her close friend and fellow
student, who passed away at the age of just 15. Abi’s response was to throw herself into fundraising for a Memorial Peace Garden at the college, raising £1,800 during lockdown.
SPORTING EXCELLENCE Sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
Mackenzie Smith, Brookvale Groby Learning Campus: Dedicated student Mackenzie displays an exemplary attitude in class and on the pitch. She regularly plays for Leicester City Women FC Under 18’s, and has started training with the women’s first team. Mackenzie’s talent has also been recognised by the national team, when she was part of the England Women’s U15 squad last season.
HEALTHY SCHOOLS
Sponsored by Leicester Grammar School
Ellesmere College: Ellesmere College has made student and staff wellbeing a key priority, establishing a variety of interventions to support the community. The college recognises that students have often experienced a challenging start to their lives and so staff provide a supportive and understanding environment, designed to increase everyone’s selfconfidence and self-esteem.
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Loughborough College
Davina Kaur, RNA Automation: Manufacturing technology apprentice Davina has been training through the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry while employed as an automation engineer by RNA Automation in Birmingham – the first female engineer on the shop floor. A second-year apprentice, Davina has achieved industry awards, travelling 36 miles a day to achieve her goals.
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Brook Mead Academy
Mackenzie Smith
THE UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER’S OUTSTANDING EDUCATION CITIZEN AWARD