EDUCATORS across the county have been shortlisted for the prestigious Golden Apple Awards.

Members of staff at The Whitehaven Academy, Ormsgill School and Energy Coast UTC have been included in the shortlist for the award for Best Teaching Assistant.

The nominees are Gail Hammell from The Whitehaven Academy, Dana Bennett from Energy Coast UTC and Stephanie Buttriss from Ormsgill School.

Gail trained as a TA roughly 20 years ago, then left to pursue another career after a couple of years.

But she returned to working in education in February 2019 at The Whitehaven Academy, right before Covid hit. She was able to adapt to support students from home.

Gail Hammell said: "I was very shocked, overwhelmed, but very honoured to be nominated.

"Once we returned to school I felt at home right away.

"The staff and the students are equally amazing.  They have all helped me in my role as a TA and were really welcoming."

Dana Bennett had only been at the Energy Coast UTC for a few months when Covid hit. Despite this, she managed to build effective relationships with lots of students who were struggling with being at home.

She spent her days meeting with students and parents virtually, listening to worries, teaching 1:1 support lessons, collecting notes and liaising with teachers. All this while still trying to home-school her own children.

While Ormsgill School staff nominated for Golden Apples include Stephanie Buttriss, who is shortlisted in the Best Teaching Assistant category for her innovative work to give a voice to a pupil who struggles to communicate with the outside world.

Ormsgill School Headteacher Mick Cull said: “We are delighted that the quality of the school’s teaching and support staff and its close links with the community has been recognised in these education awards. 

"It shows the sheer depth of talent we have at our school and the work that the staff put in above and beyond their roles.

“We are starting the academic year on a very positive footing. Our membership of South Cumbria Multi-Academy trust will accelerate improvements we are already making for the benefit of our pupils and the community.”