WHILE all staff have a vital role to play in education, there’s no denying that strong leadership is a must for institutions to succeed.
The most obvious example is the headteacher, principal or vice-chancellor, who sets the tone of the establishment. Leading by example, they are role models for other staff and authority figures that students can look up to. There are also other types of leader, who may oversee a department or even champion a particular cause. They are equally valuable, inspiring others with their passion.
This year’s award for Best Education and Learning Leader was sponsored by Furness College and there were many impressive candidates, however Nick Page and Chris Nattrass were chosen as finalists. The overall winner, who demonstrated true leadership excellence, was Sarah Roscoe.
Speaking about winning the award on the night, Sarah said: "I'm really surprised and just really shocked. I'm never really a winner of anything, it's sort of an always the bridesmaid never the bride thing, I never win. Even as a kid, when I took part in the music festivals and always came second - I never really win anything so I feel really, really proud of myself, just really proud I would say - it's unbelievable."
Always a difficult category to judge, it was as challenging as ever to single out the Best Secondary School. With schools so different in size and character, it was hard to compare like for like. What the judges were looking for was a school that went beyond what would be expected to deliver for its students, not just as a one-off, but every single day. Those chosen as finalists were Workington Academy and St Bees School – both excellent institutions – but the outright winner was the outstanding Whitehaven Academy.
Head teacher Nigel Youngman said: "It feels really exciting because Cumbria Education trust has supported the Whitehaven community phenomenally and the staff and students at Whitehaven genuinly appreciate it, the parents are passionately supportive.
"For a school that has got lots to learn and is learning lots to be recognised tonight among so many brilliant schools feels a real privilege."
It is often said that children’s early years lay the foundations for the rest of their lives and this is certainly true of education. Get it wrong, and you risk turning them off learning forever; get it right and they will never lose their thirst for knowledge. In order to learn, children of this age must be nurtured. They must feel safe in their environment, never allowing a fear of failure to hinder their efforts. They must be encouraged, cajoled and, above all, cared for. Two establishments that do all this are this year’s Best Early Years Provider finalists, Yewkids and Roose Nursery. The worthy winner was Parkfield Nursery.
The award was accepted by Anne Hooper-Brown, who owns the nursery, manager Julie Laidlow and deputy manager Nicola Scott who were delighted to be recognised for their 'family based' approach to running the nursery.
Speaking after the win, Julie said: "It's absolutely amazing I think this is a dedication to Anne who has had the nursery for over 30 years and has sort of handed her baby over to her new managment team and we have carried on Anne's work and ethos.
"It's all family based, everything is family based. If you don't look after the staff then your nursery isn't going to work and we are a big believer in family - we are just a family."
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