HAMPSHIRE’S school and college teachers, support staff, governors and dedicated volunteers were celebrated at an awards ceremony hosted by Hampshire County Council.
The annual Hampshire Education Awards, now in its fourth year, were established by the County Council as a means of recognising and celebrating the contribution of staff and volunteers within Hampshire’s education system, and to say thank you for the real difference their work makes to the life opportunities of children and young people.
There were 16 award recipients across 14 categories, as judged by school and college leaders. Nominations were invited from all phases of education including early years, primary, secondary, all-through and post-16, sixth form and vocational colleges.
Award recipients for the 2020-2021 academic year included: Governance Award, Sally Hibbert, Binsted Church of England Primary School, Alton; Education Leadership Award, Randall Jull, The Costello School, Basingstoke, Teaching and Learning Award, Jane Jocelyn Chiltern Primary School, Basingstoke.
Local MP Maria Miller congratulated Basingstoke school and college teachers, as well as support staff, governors and volunteers who were celebrated at the Education Awards ceremony.
Maria said: ‘I want to pay tribute to the contribution of local schools over an incredibly challenging year, and especially express my warm congratulations to Basingstoke’s Chiltern Primary School and The Costello School, which were recognised at the Hampshire Education Awards. I am delighted that the incredible work they have put in over the past year has been recognised and celebrated in this way. Those working in education have worked incredibly hard to keep schools and colleges open during the pandemic –implementing measures like Covid-secure settings and remote learning – and they deserve our sincerest thanks for their devotion in ensuring that children and young people in Basingstoke continue to receive an excellent education.”
Councillor Roz Chadd, the County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, commented: “To say the last 18 months has been challenging would be an understatement, but I am so proud of all our exceptionally hard-working teachers, support staff and volunteers who have really shown they are the best of the best. These awards are a chance to showcase some of the wonderful stories of dedication and talent across the county’s family of schools and colleges.
Education staff have worked tirelessly and so many have gone above and beyond to keep Hampshire’s education settings going despite the very difficult challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented. They have responded amazingly, taking on changes such as introducing COVID-safe measures in schools and colleges and adapting to remote learning, to ensure Hampshire’s children and young people could continue their education.
I regularly hear and see the exceptional work of staff and volunteers who support pupils and students to achieve and grow into brilliant young people. This often involves doing everything they can to help them overcome challenges and meet complex needs, and our annual Education Awards are just a snippet of the many fantastic achievements that have taken place over the past year.”
This year’s ceremony was held at Ashburton Hall in Winchester; the first time the ceremony has been held in person for two years, after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in July.
Joining Councillor Chadd with a special address and also presenting the awards was Parish Priest, TV and radio presenter Reverend Richard Coles. Those attending were also entertained by the Hampshire Music Service and singing by Isla Croll.
