TEACHERS and support staff celebrated in style after another year of success.
The Spark Education Trust, which runs secondary and primary schools across the North East, staged an awards night to recognise the commitment and hard work of its staff.
Hosted by Conyers School and Sixth Form, Yarm, one of its four secondary schools, the ceremony marked the Trust’s second year of operations with the presentation of a string of accolades.
Spark chief executive Louise Spellman said: “This has been a really busy year and we have achieved so much.
“Our focus this year has been on the things we can do together that forge our Spark identity. Thus our career development programme for teachers is completing its first year and has been hugely successful.
“Together, we have created brilliant opportunities for our students. Our central teams have worked tirelessly to establish systems and processes to ensure that schools run both smoothly and effectively.
“Tonight is about celebrating talent and the difference staff make to our schools every day. We have many reasons to be cheerful. In every school and our central team there is talent in abundance. Talent, hard work and an absolute commitment to our children and young people.”
Nominations were made in the areas of innovation, inclusion, outstanding teaching, support, pastoral care, enrichment, learning for life, for being an unsung hero, inspirational leadership and making outstanding contributions to the trust. The awards ceremony also celebrated primary, secondary and central services staff who were moving on or retiring from the Trust.
Outstanding Primary Teacher of the Year was Jessie Poulson from Bader Primary School, Thornaby.
A citation read out by Mrs Spellman said: “Jessie is passionate and enthusiastic and puts her all into every lesson. She inspires the Year 1 children she teaches and has an approachable, friendly and hard working personality. She has created a classroom environment where children can be curious and every child feels valued. She is empathetic, patient and always willing to support colleagues.”
Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year accolade went to Martyn Burke, of Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough.
His citation read: “Martyn consistently goes above and beyond. His positive attitude creates an encouraging environment for both students and staff and he leads by example through his professionalism and dedication. Martyn is always supportive of his team, offering guidance and fostering collaboration. He builds strong relationships with young people, inspiring confidence and helping them achieve their full potential. His commitment to making a difference to students’ lives is clear in everything he does.”
Other winners were: Early Career Teacher of the Year, Mollie McGregor, from Kirklevington Primary School and Romana Asghar, from Egglescliffe Secondary School; Inclusion Champion Award, Kathryn Barr, from The Links Primary School; Outstanding Support Staff, Louise Nouri, of Whitehouse Primary School, Jayne Howes, from Conyers Secondary School and Lucy Wilson, from Central Finance; Pastoral Care Award, Meral Jackson, from Egglescliffe Secondary School; Community Engagement Award, Mike Fowle, from Laurence Jackson Secondary School; Enrichment Champion Awards, Charlotte Wilson-Dukes, from Whinstone Primary School and Jo Croft, from Conyers Secondary School; Learning for Life Award, Lara Kapps, from Huntcliff Secondary School; Team of the Year Award, The Junction Farm ARP Team and the Huntcliff English Team; Unsung Hero Award, Dean Underwood, of Layfield Primary School, Paul Bridge, of The Trust Central Services Team; Bright Spark Award, Lucy Hakes, of Bewley Primary School, Carla Breckon, from Levendale Primary School; Governor of the Year Award, Robbie Harris, of Whitehouse Primary School; Inspirational Leader of the Year, Ali Dixon, of Chandlers Ridge Primary School and Charlotte Tomey, of Laurence Jackson Secondary School; Collaboration Champions Award, The Spark Ed Learning Group; Outstanding Contribution to the Trust Awards, Paul Webster, of Conyers School, Jo Richardson, of Egglescliffe School, Karen Tattersdill, of Bewley School, Annemarie Longster, of Bewley School, Jill Gullon, of Levendale, Sue Crinnion, of Junction Farm, Joanne McKenna-Moore, of Saltburn Primary School.