The Whitehaven Academy enjoyed a night of celebration at an awards evening honouring the very best of education in Cumbria.
Academy staff were presented with no fewer than four top accolades at the Golden Apple Awards, held annually to highlight the efforts of teachers, support staff and students, and achievement in education.
The academy was named Best Secondary School, and celebrated four other awards, including the night’s major closing prize, a Lifetime Achievement Award for SENCO and special needs advisor Jos Cole.
You can read more about Jos’ deserved honour in a separate article. Link to separate Jos article
Here’s a rundown of TWA’s other Golden Apple winners.
Best Secondary School
What a year to win after our long-awaited move into our new build in February (and an official opening to follow next month).
Headteacher Nigel Youngman said the school serves a fantastic community, which is passionate about the success of students.
He said: “We feel delighted that the deep commitment of staff, the support of a caring trust and the belief of our families has been recognised.”
Best Educational Professional Newcomer
Sophie McCall took the award in this prestigious category.
She said: “Being a new teacher sometimes it can be hard to tell if you are doing well, this reminds me I am doing a good job.
“Day to day it is often easy to forget to reflect on and think about the positives and small successes of the year and the great relationships my students and I have made.
“I feel that for most students I teach, it is taking time to get to know them in and outside of lessons that they appreciate, and this is what make the difference to them. Like going to watch them play sports on the school team or making the effort to speak to them at break or lunch time.”
Inclusion Initiative
David McCabe, lead for the Outdoor Learning programme at TWA, is determined to ensure that students are inspired and those disaffected reconnect with education through the programme.
Students who have felt isolated and disconnected through the challenges of Covid have found themselves empowered and discovered skills they previously hadn’t even considered – thanks to David’s commitment.
One Year 9 pupil said: “Outdoor learning has made me want to come to school and has given me a reason to behave in school.”
Programme partner praise included: “He ensures the programme is not a ‘tag on’ – it is there to help and develop the learning of the young people involved.”
TWA was also honoured to have three more finalists last night.
Best Teaching Assistant
Gail Hammell returned to working in education at Whitehaven in February 2019 and was nominated for her support for students who were working remotely during Covid.
Gail willingly adopts a multitude of roles from supporting key individuals in class to being a general all round support to all students she comes across – nothing is too much trouble.
Gail said: “The staff and the students are equally amazing. They have all helped me in my role as a TA and were really welcoming.”
Wellbeing
Laurie Black, Deputy Director of Learning at TWA and Senior Mental Health Lead, with project Brilliant Cumbria.
This innovative project revolves around Year 9 pupils teaching other pupils how to develop coping strategies to protect their wellbeing.
Laurie said: “It’s a really good project and goes across the whole community, bringing everyone together.”
The aim is to share positive wellbeing messages, with students going into local primary schools and workshops to discuss with other children how to become more positive and overcome the difficulties facing them. It also involves training young people as ambassadors to help the wider community.
Laurie added: “The kids have run it all themselves, they’ve been the people who have grabbed the bull by the horns.”
Best Student
TWA’s Sophie Murfitt is described by teaching staff as highly motivated, diligent, conscientious, kind – and she makes a mean chocolate brownie!
Sophie is a natural Senior Prefect. Students naturally turned to her as she encouraged, cajoled, motivated and listened to her peers.
As lead of the school’s Eco Committee, she secured metal bottles for every student and staff member, challenged school leaders until there were multiple recycling bins in the canteen and led her peers in running assemblies to educate other students in the importance of eco awareness.
She would also show new staff around the school and acted as a role model for younger students while maintaining a strong academic drive and achieving excellent results.
There were also award wins for two other Cumbria Education Trust schools with Workington Academy’s Lesley Robertson winning Best Support Staff and Donna Lund and Jackie Bradley from Newtown Primary in Carlisle winning Best Community Initiative.
