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SecEd celebrates our nation’s inspirational PAs
Tim Mitchell, headteacher at the There were also six highly com- ness and efficiency simply enables home the bronze award. Described the top three and my name hadn’t
by Chris Parr
school, is the first to admit that there mended awards as well as the gold, me to do my job. I can delegate as “bionic and telepathic” by her been read out yet!”
were times when his own faith in silver and bronze prizes. tasks in outline knowing that she headteacher, Kim was the only per- Mr Platten added: “I think that
Julia Marks’ “steely determination” the battle to keep the school open The finalists received their will fill in the colours just as I would son on the staff to be mentioned by behind every good head is a won-
to fight for the future of her school took some knocks. awards from John Rolfe, manager wish, while her legendary accuracy name on the school’s recent “out- derful PA. Kim is more than my
has earned her the top prize at the Without Julia, Dayncourt of the ISA at the British Council, means that I never have to check. standing” Ofsted report. right hand, she is my public face,
2009 SecEd Headteacher’s PA of – which is now secure after the and last year’s champion PA, Whatever the task, it is always done She told us: “I was over- voice and memory.”
the Year Awards. council gave it the green light to Pam Waters from Forest Gate right, and nothing is ever too much whelmed just to be nominated – I See below for more details from
Julia, who has worked stay open – could have faced a very Community School in London. trouble. She eats work.” never expected to make the final. the top three and highly commend-
at Dayncourt School in different future. Speaking during the ceremony, Completing the top three was It was lovely to listen to what all ed nominations.
Nottinghamshire for six years, Mr Mitchell said: “Throughout Ms Waters told this year’s final- Kim Annison, PA to Jonathan the headteachers had said about SecEd will launch the 2010
wowed the judges with her never- the turmoil, Julia met each new ists: “It has been great since I won Platten at Alderman Peel High their PAs, but quite nerve-wracking awards next year. For details, email
say-die attitude, and her refusal to challenge with both a steely deter- the award. I have been hugged School in Norfolk, who took when the time came to announce pete.h@markallengroup.com
lose faith when the school was mination to get it right, and an in the street, received congratula-
faced with the very real prospect unbridled enthusiasm to make tions from so many people and, of
of closure. things better. course, the students were so proud.
With a significant budget defi- “Quite simply, that we are here Even ex-students have stopped me
cit, falling student population, today, with our local authority hav- to say well done.”
What makes a great PA?
and a school estate described as ing withdrawn the threat of closure, The 2009 silver award win-
“crumbling” by the headteacher, is more to do with Julia than any ner was Elisabeth Collard from
Nottinghamshire County Council one individual elsewhere within the Kingsbridge Community College
What did the headteachers have to say about our top nine PAs of the Year for 2009?
began consulting on closing the school establishment.” in Devon, who was described by
school during the 2008/09 academ- After winning the gold award principal Roger Pope as “efficient,
Gold winner
ic year. at the 2009 awards ceremony on effective and a treasure-house of
Julia Marks, Dayncourt School, Nottinghamshire
Julia told us: “It was a very Friday (November 20), Julia said skills”.
stressful time. As PA, you are often she was “shocked, and utterly Last summer, Elisabeth was
Headteacher: Tim Mitchell
the first to know about anything amazed”. She added: “After hear- diagnosed with breast cancer. She
“The most telling contribution during the turmoil of the past 12 months has been Julia’s dogged
going on in the school, and dealing ing the amazing stories from the was back at work a week after her persistence in seeing a way forward. She has always been able to identify a light at the end of the tunnel,
with the threat of closure placed a other nominees, I couldn’t believe operation, and is currently undergo-
however faint it may have seemed. She kept the faith – even when my own was on the wane.”
huge weight on our shoulders. it when my name was read out. It’s ing daily radiotherapy – arriving
“Only the headteacher, one of still sinking in.” early at work in order to make sure
the deputies, and I knew what was The 2009 awards were once there was no disruption.
Silver winner
going on initially, and we had to again sponsored by the DCSF After picking up her award,
Elisabeth Collard, Kingsbridge Community College, Devon
keep it quiet until we knew how we International School Award (ISA), Elisabeth told us: “I’m shocked, Principal: Roger Pope
were going to tackle the situation. which is managed by the British stunned, and very proud. When I
“When Elisabeth had to take time off after being diagnosed with cancer, it felt like my right arm had been
But I was never going to give up. Council. found out that my name had been
chopped off. It really made me realise how much she does. When she came back so quickly after treatment,
This is a wonderful school, with During the ceremony, all 30 put forward, I was so flattered – and
lovely children and brilliant teach- finalists, who came from across the a little bit terrified!”
it was a lesson for us all in how to deal with adversity, and how to get on with it when you’ve suffered a
ers. I would fight tooth and nail to UK, were recognised with awards Mr Pope said: “Lis’s consum-
setback.”
keep it open.” and had citations read out. mate skill, reliability, conscientious-
Bronze winner
Kim Annison, Alderman Peel High School, Norfolk
Headteacher: Jonathan Platten
“Kim is both bionic and telepathic. Right from her appointment, she has shown an uncanny knack of
having done what I want her to do without even having to ask. In her first fortnight here, I went in to ask
if she could draw up a summary of exclusions. I explained that I wanted names, the offence, the date and
period of exclusion. ‘You mean something like this?’ she replied, retrieving from a cabinet exactly what I
wanted without my even having had to ask for it!”
Highly commended
Christine Wilson, Blue Coat School, Warwickshire
Headteacher: Dr Julie Roberts
“Chris is a wonderfully assured PA who has now offered fantastic support to three different headteachers
within the school. Whatever the situation, Chris is a source of calm assurance and is always the first person
to offer potential solutions whatever the problem.”
Jenny Kissane, Crestwood College for Business and Enterprise, Hampshire
Headteacher: Krista Carter
“As a new head in 2006, I found Jenny’s memory for people and prior incidents amazing. She is the
fountain of all knowledge. In my first few months she took time to tell me who is who, who to liaise with,
and more importantly who not to waste my time on. She carefully booked longer appointments for those I
needed to spend time with and instigates a ‘ghost’ other appointment waiting when things are boring me
to tears!”
Jocelyn Benger, Saltash.net Community School, Cornwall
Headteacher: Isobel Bryce:
“In the same way in which she shows care and concern for others, Jocelyn knows absolutely when to
‘lighten’ the atmosphere. She has a brilliant, dry sense of humour and has helped me on many an occasion
to see the funny side of something when I am ready to explode!”
Paula Lavender, Heathfield School, Berkshire
Headteacher: Jo Heywood
“As well as her super-efficiency, her supportive and helpful nature and her discretion, Paula is enormous fun
to be around. She has a huge love of life and can spot the humour in every situation, bringing laughter and
amusement to many an otherwise sombre moment.”
Shirley Wheeler, Greensward Academy, Essex
Headteacher: Deborah Stokes
“Where others would shut their door and say they are busy, that never happens with Shirley. She will
always find time to help anyone. This firm and kindly support is also offered to students in need. We now
call them ‘Shirley’s Special Friends’. These are often those students with troubled lives; Shirley finds time to
support them in many ways, with kind words, a nice cup of tea and a biscuit, and has even offered them
rewards to try to overcome their problems.”
Sue O’Brien, Arrow Vale Community High School, Worcestershire
Headteacher: Mark Creasy
“To call Sue just the head’s PA is to do her a disservice, as she is so much more. She acts as a friend,
support, confidante, advisor and cheerleader for so many staff, especially to me. Such is the level of trust
that Sue has, she is used by many staff to act as the sounding board for new ideas, as well as supporting
developments for systems and initiatives.”
SecEd • November 26 2009 
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