The inspirational winners of our Warrington Guardian Education Awards

Twelve outstanding winners have been honoured as part of the 2024 awards, which aim to celebrate schools, nurseries and colleges across the town, championing pupils and students, teachers and assistants, and classes and teams.

Warrington’s educators do an amazing job and we wanted to shine a spotlight on best practice across the town while acknowledging special achievements throughout the academic year.

A dozen awards have been given out to pupils and students, teachers and teaching assistants as well as classes and schools and we also handed out an outstanding achievement award and an unsung hero award.

All the winners feature in a special edition of this week’s Warrington Guardian.

We had a record number of nominations this year from parents and pupils, and colleagues and governors, with judges having some difficult decisions to make in every category.

Gareth Dunning, deputy editor at the Warrington Guardian, said: “After two successful years of the Warrington Guardian Education Awards in 2022 and 2023, we wanted to recognise excellence in education once again this year.

“There was an incredible response to our appeals for nominations with hundreds of readers getting in touch to tell us about nurseries, schools and colleges in Warrington and those people who make them such special places.

“It’s evident from the entries we received how much we appreciate our children’s teachers, teaching assistants and headteachers as well as their fellow pupils and students and support staff.

“After some very difficult decisions, our judging panel was able to agree on the 12 winners – each and every one is highly deserving of their award.

“They should be proud of their achievements over the past 12 months – and beyond – and these awards are in recognition of all their hard work.

“Congratulations to all our winners.”

Cllr Jean Flaherty, deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s, families and education, said: “The Education Awards are an annual reminder of how fortunate we are to have such dedicated and selfless teaching staff who work tirelessly with our school community every day.

“It has been humbling to be able to hear about the impact that our schools continue to have on our young people.

“Many congratulations to the award winners.”

The awards would not be possible without our sponsors Warrington Borough Council and Redwood Bank.

THE WINNERS

Janet Shaw

Outstanding Achievement Award: Janet Shaw at Barrow Hall Primary School

A surprise assembly brought Barrow Hall Primary School together to honour one of their own.

Starting as a midday and teaching assistant, Janet Shaw has had quite the journey at Barrow Hall Primary School.  

Colleagues quickly realised that she had so much more to bring to the Barrow Hall community and she took on a SENDCO role, providing support and compassion for students and their families.

Janet has a passion for helping children to succeed, whether that be educationally or socially, and she ensures all children are safe and supported - she is a true role model.  

Nathan Jack Gerrard

High School Pupil of the Year: Nathan Jack Gerrard at Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School

Nathan Jack has thrown himself into being an advocate for young people with autism, who are finding life a challenge.

Through his determination and his energy, he has highlighted the importance of encouraging people to be more supporting and less judgmental to those who have autism.

Nathan Jack has discovered a talent for creating animations through illustrations and graphics, which he uses to spread his message of support for other young people leading similar lives.

Tom Williams

Further Education Teacher of the Year: Tom Williams at Priestley College

Supportive and approachable, with a passion for his subject, Tom Williams never fails to offer encouragement to his pupils in his media and film studies classroom.

Since starting at Priestley College in 2015, Tom has continued to cater to all his students’ needs.

After nine years at Priestley College, Tom is the winner of our Further Education Teacher of the Year Award 2024.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

School of the Year: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

We were inundated with nominations for Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School - our School of the Year 2024.

The school honours its motto - “to live, to love to learn” - and “encourages children to succeed and thrive every day”. 

Staff, students and parents form a school community and everyone is involved in the children’s future.

Andrew Hayes

Headteacher of the Year: Andrew Hayes at Latchford St James CE Primary School

Andrew Hayes is hardworking, dedicated and an inspiration to staff, students and parents and is the epitome of what a role model should be.

He made a promise when he first became headteacher at Latchford St James CE Primary School, saying he would to give the role everything.

Everyone agrees that he has fulfilled this promise every single day over the past three years. 

Fred Hutchings

Primary School Pupil of the Year: Fred Hutchings at Locking Stumps Primary School

An inspiration to us all, Fred Hutchings is the deserving recipient of the Primary School Pupil of the Year Award 2024.

Despite the adversity Fred has faced, he has persevered through his challenges and grown into a “lovely young man” who is “kind, patient and caring towards others”.

Jon Leatherbarrow

Primary School Teacher of the Year: Jon Leatherbarrow at Statham Primary School

Jon Leatherbarrow is a patient and inspirational primary school teacher, who is able to connect with his students and support them with challenges, both big and small.

"A true credit" to Statham Primary School and Nursery, Mr Leatherbarrow cares about his students and their futures and wants the best for each and every one of them.

Every single child in his class matters and they feel safe and happy at school because of him.

Lesley Beswick

Teaching Assistant of the Year: Lesley Beswick at Fox Wood School

Four decades of hard work have earned a dedicated teaching assistant a 2024 Warrington Guardian Education Award.

Lesley Beswick, a “caring, patient and wonderful” teaching assistant at Fox Wood School, is the 2024 Teaching Assistant of the Year.

Nominations poured in for Lesley as parents and colleagues alike wanted to honour her unwavering support and commitment to her students and the wider school community.

The Progress Hub

Team of the Year: The Progress Hub at Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School

An incredible initiative has won staff at Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School the 2024 Team of the Year award.

Enabling students to reach their full potential within school is at the heart of their programme, with staff providing alternative timetables and 1:1 opportunities for students that require extra support for mental health and additional needs.

The progress hub also offers online provision and exam anxiety workshops as well as social skills groups to cater for all students.

Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School

Early Years Award: Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School

With children at the heart of the school, Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School is the winner of our Early Years Award.

This mainstream nursery with a special designated provision for children with additional needs offers the best support and guidance, with all staff going above and beyond for the children.

In their nominations, parents shared personal stories of how they feel their children are in good hands and how youngsters are learning and developing in the most effective way at Sandy Lane.

Kate Evans

Unsung Hero Award: Kate Evans at Great Sankey High School

Kate takes on a variety of roles with staff and students saying that she is the “heartbeat of the school”.

Whether it is providing support for the children or being a helping hand to staff, Kate is always the first person to volunteer. 

After 27 years at Great Sankey High School, her dedication is unwavering and staff believe there is “no one more deserving” of this award than Kate.  

They say she represents everything good about education.  

Amy Dawson

New Teacher of the Year: Amy Dawson at Stockton Heath Primary School

Starting a new career in teaching can be overwhelming but Amy Dawson has taken it all in her stride as she impacts the lives of Year One students at Stockton Heath Primary School in such a positive way. 

There were cheers and tears from staff and students at the West Avenue school as Amy was presented with the award in recognition of all her efforts and success.

Parents and students showered the new teacher with compliments in their nominations, wanting to honour her hard work and accomplishments over the past 12 months. 

Described as “wonderful”, “an absolute treasure” and “incredibly enthusiastic”, Amy Dawson is our New Teacher of the Year 2024.