2024 Gold Winners

Judge for Further Education Lecturer of the Year 

Alexis has worked in education for over 15 years, with experience supporting learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Special Educational Needs (SEN), as well as teaching nearly all areas of Design and Technology within secondary education. For the past five years, she has been working in Further Education, specialising in Motorsports, Aerospace, and Composite Engineering. A passionate advocate for women, Alexis is an active member of the ED&I group and the Women’s Affinity Network, where she champions initiatives aimed at empowering under-represented groups. As a STEM Ambassador for CREATE Education, she is committed to making STEM classrooms and industries more inclusive for girls. Alexis has also led the HiVE outreach programme, successfully implementing additive manufacturing across all primary schools in Blaenau Gwent. Her dedication and impact have been widely recognised, receiving the Pearson Gold FE Lecturer of the Year award, was highly commended for the Wales STEM Team of the Year, and was a finalist for Wales STEM Woman of the Year.

Chilmington Green Primary School:  Throughout her career, Toni has been a key driver in the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning for everyone. Currently the digital curriculum lead at The Stour Academy Trust, Toni is passionate about inclusion, accessibility and equitable learning opportunities for all children, not just in her classroom but throughout the school, the trust and beyond. With this in mind, Toni is always looking out for ways that technology can empower students and educators, enabling them to achieve the best possible outcomes. She is a Microsoft Master Educator Trainer, certification through the Microsoft Programme.  She is also a Microsoft Innovator Educator Expert a Microsoft Showcase School fellow and an ambassador for many technology communities, including Book Creator. Toni’s enthusiasm is infectious and galvanising, and she is happy to share her innovative ideas for teaching and learning on social media (Toni Hammy).

Special Steps Ltd:  Becky created this highly successful nursery to enrich and empower the lives of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Providing a safe, friendly, accepting and supportive environment, she encourages children to reach their full potential, and places are much sought after. Currently catering for 19 children aged one to five, there are 35 more on the waiting list, highlighting the need and demand for this vital service. A fundraising campaign is underway to enable the nursery to relocate to larger premises that will accommodate up to 60 children. Alongside running the nursery, Becky hosts a number of well-attended, inclusive groups in the wider community, including a Sunday school, a weekly Rhyme and Rhythm group, a Monday night youth club and a SEND ‘stay and play’ group. Becky puts her heart and soul into every child who comes through her door and goes above and beyond in the love and care she provides to children with SEND and their families. 

Saint Patrick’s College:  Ciara is an early career teacher (ECT) who has made an incredible impact since joining the school in September 2022. An outstanding science teacher, Ciara inspires and galvanises all her pupils, and has been a particularly impressive role model for girls interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). She also works tirelessly to support the school study skills programme, creating bespoke study guides, engaging assemblies and after-school study provision. Ciara gives her time enthusiastically and freely, running an exciting and very popular after-school science club and donning college colours to help train the senior camogie team, who were All-Ireland finalists in 2023. She is very much rooted in the community she serves, and has recently volunteered to support the local primary school with the delivery of their STEM programme.

Central Academies Trust:  With an incredible 60 years’ experience in education, David recently stepped down as CEO of Central Academies Trust in Birmingham to become CEO of Inspiring Lives Education Trust, a new multi-academy trust based in the Midlands. David is a former secondary executive headteacher and has extensive experience as an academy trust CEO. Having supported four secondary schools to come out of OFSTED ‘special measures’ and overseen dramatic school improvement of schools within deprivation areas of Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester and Bradford, he is passionate about enabling excellent education opportunities for all. He was Coventry City Council’s cabinet lead for education for four years and has been chairman of Epworth Education Trust and on the boards of numerous primary and secondary schools.

Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School Judge

Dawn Ferdinand is in her 25th year of headship and is currently the Co-Headteacher of The Willow Primary School and Broadwaters’ Children’s Centre. Her school sits on an inclusive learning campus, shared with The Brook Special School, on the Broadwater Farm Estate in Tottenham. She took on leadership of The Willow in 2008 when it was rated ‘Satisfactory’ by Ofsted. Under her leadership, the school achieved ‘Outstanding’ in both 2017 and 2023. Dawn has also been an Executive Headteacher and a founding member several organisations, including Nia, BEN (Black Educators’ Network (both Islington and Haringey). She is the founder and Programme Director for Roots to Excellence (at LAET). She is committed to school improvement, working as a consultant with Haringey Education Partnership, and runs her own company, Ferdinand Leadership Education Excellence (FLE-x). Dawn is Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School 2024. A strong advocate for inclusion, Dawn is passionate about improving outcomes for vulnerable children and ensuring that all pupils receive the opportunities they deserve.

Aurora Woodlands:  Greg is an exceptional higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) at Aurora Woodlands School, a small specialist school providing nurturing education for children with SEND. Since joining in 2022, Greg has been the leading light of the Highgrove provision, an onsite forest school for learners with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and autistic spectrum conditions (ASC). Greg designs and delivers a bespoke phonics and numeracy programme that enables previously hard-to-reach students to learn key skills almost without realising – while also developing practical, social and emotional skills as they work together in the outdoors! Through forging links with local groups and and neighbours, Greg ensures that students are at the heart of the local community and have a sense of belonging. From encouraging students as they create their own outdoors environment to babysitting newly-hatched chicks and ducklings, he always quietly goes the extra mile.

The Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year Judge

Jo currently teaches in a provision for vulnerable learners using a trauma-informed approach. She loves her job as it is both rewarding and varied every day, and she works with an amazing team. They are also joined by Bella, the emotionally available dog who is part of their school family.

Part of Jo’s role also involves supporting families, ensuring barriers are broken down, and working cohesively with the team around the child to benefit the child’s well-being. She enjoys removing obstacles for her students while creating a safe space where they can feel secure and make connections with themselves.

Jo also works within the local community to ensure that the children at Ysgol Bryn Gwalia have rich opportunities, equipping them for their next steps into high school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and listening to live music.

Brymore Academy:  Passionate, hardworking and child-focused, Mark is an inspirational leader who is dedicated to seeing students thrive. He leads with kindness and humility. Mark has been headteacher at Brymore Academy, a state-funded boarding and day school for boys that includes a 100-acre working farm, gardens, engineering workshops and blacksmithing forge, for almost 14 years. When he took up the role, the school was consistently in the bottom 10% of schools nationally for progress. It had also just received a damning local authority safeguarding review and student numbers were in decline. With Mark at the helm, the boarding facility has improved significantly, gaining a solid ‘Good’ rating in the care standards twice. He has also improved results to the extent that the school is consistently in the top 10% nationally for progress (top in the county in 2023) and in 2022 was the only school in Somerset to achieve a positive Progress 8 score for disadvantaged students. Brymore Academy is now the most heavily oversubscribed school in Somerset.

Outwood Primary Academy Woodlands:  An outstanding Reception teacher at Woodlands, Natalie is an exceptional educator who exemplifies the qualities of an inspirational and supportive colleague and a dedicated professional. Setting high expectations for herself, her pupils and her colleagues, she fosters a culture of excellence in the classroom and beyond, believing in the potential of every child and working tirelessly to empower them to achieve their very best. Natalie’s engaging classroom environment is a joy – a place where children feel valued, motivated and inspired to succeed. Through her innovative teaching methods and keen attention to detail, she drives a hub of creativity, exploration and growth. Her instrumental role in establishing the school’s SEN provision, particularly the nurture room, has been highly commended by school improvement advisors and SEN teams. Her unwavering commitment and remarkable contributions to the educational community ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

The Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year Judge

Oli has been teaching for the past 8 years at a secondary school in Dorset and was recently awarded Secondary School Teacher of the Year in the 2024 National Teaching Awards. He is currently Assistant Head Teacher who has helped to co-author and implement a Taking Boys Seriously Programme in which support is given to develop equity within education. This involves mentoring schemes, mental health awareness and support and academic strategies given to develop the young men on both a local and national level.

Oli also runs the English, Ethics and Performance faculty in his school and has experience in curriculum change and oversight within English as well as establishing and implementing strategic vision across Ethics, Music, Media and Drama.

All Saints Catholic School and Technology College:  The commitment to inclusivity and excellence at All Saints is not just a motto – it’s a lived reality that has garnered widespread external recognition. Students defy the odds, achieving remarkable success and demonstrating confidence and optimism about their futures. The school’s impressive track record includes a Unicef Gold Rights Respecting award, Flagship status IQM award, Gold Equalities award and an Ofsted Section 48 ‘Outstanding’ rating. Despite facing local challenges, the school has emerged as a beacon of pride and ownership within the community. Through extensive collaboration with Citizens UK as a community action founding chapter, the school has overcome barriers to create an environment where pupils, parents and the community at large feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Examples of successful change abound, but the school remains steadfast in its vision and direction, guided by the values of respect, understanding, affection and humour. This is a sanctuary of learning, growth and opportunity for all who pass through its doors.

Westminster Kingsway College:  The hospitality and culinary arts team is a driving force behind Westminster Kingsway College’s reputation for excellence in education. Individually, each member of the team brings a wealth of expertise, experience and industry connections, contributing to a comprehensive and enriching programme for students. Collectively, the impact of the team’s work is profound and far-reaching, providing students with a wonderful array of opportunities, from guest lectures by renowned chefs to industry placements and networking. This exposure adds huge value to the learning experience, equipping students with the practical skills and industry insights they need. From mastering culinary techniques to understanding the nuances of hospitality management, students receive an inspiring, well-rounded education that prepares them superbly for success in their careers.

Surrey Square Primary School:  This whole-school team works tirelessly and with immense pride to ensure that Surrey Square is ‘more than a school’ in so many ways. Values and wellbeing are at the core, and there is a powerful ethos rippling through the school – one of helping pupils to balance academic learning with the ability to develop positive relationships, communicate effectively, know who they are and have ambition. The team is also dedicated to supporting families and the local community, and has had a significant and very positive impact on the lives of many local people through its place-based initiative, the Old Kent Road Family Zone. This holistic approach ensures that pupils can achieve their full potential – evidenced by the number of pupils being ‘on track’ jumping from around 26% when they start in the nursery to around 85% by the end of their time at the school.

Venture Outdoor Kindergarten:  Venture began in 2018 with Jenny and Zoe and a handful of children, each with a backpack, exploring the outdoors in south Devon. These adventures initiated the development of a unique ethos and pedagogy, fully focused on the wellbeing of children. With caring and ambitious management and a meticulously conscientious approach to recruitment, Venture has grown into a close family of inspirational practitioners, all sharing the same aspirations. The team is exceptionally skilled in its interactions with children, creating a calm environment where children and their ideas come first and where everyone – children, team, parents and wider community – is treated with reverence, compassion and respect. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with huge emphasis placed on developing meaningful relationships. The team prioritises preparation for life by building and supporting self-confidence, independence and, above all else, emotional wellbeing.

Woolenwick Infant and Nursery School:  There is an imaginative and highly effective whole-school team driving the dynamics at this happy, outward-looking school. The team works tirelessly to provide everyday, real experiences that inspire children’s thinking, giving them enthusiasm and confidence to develop as creative young learners. There are just as many exciting and stimulating opportunities beyond the classroom as inside it, such as outdoor learning using the on-site allotment and Forest School sessions. The school also lays the foundations for a love of music and, with Woolenwick the flagship school, the dedicated music specialist has galvanised the setting up of the Primary School Music Strategy with a view to creating a whole new generation of woodwind instrumentalists learning to play DooDs (beginner clarinets). The school has a phenomenal track record and reputation for collaborating with local and national partners to increase engagement with cultural and creative opportunities in a range of areas – including around mental health, nature, the arts and intergenerational connection – fostering mutual empathy and community cohesion.