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Passionate, loyal and committed – our PAs


The fifth annual SecEd Headteachers’ PA of the Year Awards have once again heard amazing stories of the dedication, passion and talent of our PAs. SecEd is today proud to unveil the 2010 Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, as well as 14 more PAs who are recognised as finalists Gold Award


Winner: Pamela Zborowski School: Tarporley High School & Sixth Form College, Cheshire Headteacher: Sarah Lee


The impact that one PA has had with staff, parents and students in her school has won her the Gold Award in the 2010 SecEd Headteachers’ PA of the Year Awards. Headteacher Sarah Lee told


our judges how Pamela Zborowski (pictured, right) has “utterly trans- formed” the PA role at Tarporley High School and has become “part of the lifeblood of the institution”. Ms Lee praised Pamela’s


“warmth and infectiousness” but also her “dedication and profes- sionalism”. She told us: “Pamela speaks from


the heart and always actively pro- motes the school, giving a perspec- tive that permeates from her active involvement in school life, frequent- ly above and beyond her role.” Judges were impressed by not


only Pamela’s excellence in the traditional PA’s role, but also the impact she has on the school’s stu- dents, not least with the Student Ambassador Award. Pamela works closely with a


large number of students within the school, leading a group of stu- dent ambassadors who assist her as student guides for interview candi- dates and visitors. She works with the students,


Silver Award


Winner: Janet Butterworth School: Links Education Support Centre, St Albans Headteacher: Tracey Healy


The professionalism and discre- tion shown day-in, day-out in meeting the different challenges of work in a pupil referral unit (PRU) has won Janet Butterworth our Silver Award. Janet (pictured, right) is PA


to Tracey Healy at the Links Education Support Centre, a PRU in St Albans. The centre supports 100 young people on-site and more than 300 others in local schools. Ms Healy described in her


nomination a centre which sup- ports young people who have all experienced “great failures, trau- ma and abuse” – many are aggres- sors as well as victims. She told us: “The work place


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is extremely stressful and manag- ing the staff to cope with this level of stress is a delicate and impor- tant role. Janet is exceptional in her rapport with staff, her ability to listen, be supportive, and act as my eyes and ears so I never miss a staff member’s needs.” Along with absolute trust in


Janet’s “professionalism and dis- cretion”, Janet often knows when to step in during complex and sensitive reconciliations and dis- cussions. Ms Healy continued: “She can


sense when a young person might need a break or just a chat with


developing their self-confidence and presentation skills, and she also publicises and praises their work to staff and speaks in assemblies to celebrate their achievements. As a result of this, Pamela has


introduced the Student Ambassador Award which she presents in person at annual awards evenings. Pamela also works voluntarily


as a student mentor supporting stu- dents through their GCSE examina- tions. Ms Lee continued: “She always


finds the time to motivate and engage them with their studies and


her mentees have all achieved in line with or above expectation. Pamela has also been known to con- tinue to mentor her students into the 6th form, despite this not being part of the requirements, ensuring that she is always there in times of need on a personal and academic level.” Her skill and diplomacy are also


praised in the nomination, as she works to support all members of the school’s leadership team. Ms Lee added: “She has become


a trusted colleague for all staff. Pamela is sensitive to staff needs and is intuitive in her response


Ms Healy said: “Janet has


enormous compassion, cou- pled with a calm and supportive demeanour. She is not fazed by rudeness or aggression and can often provide a neutral listening ear that acts as a de-escalator.” She concluded: “I could not


do my job without Janet, as she also helps me ‘sound-off’ after a stressful or distressing day. She is not afraid to take me to task if she feels I could have managed a staff situation more gently or firmly – all of this with unwavering loy- alty, respect, efficiency, humour, sensitivity, and calmness.” After hearing of the Silver


her. I can often find as I return to my office, a very troubled young person who has obviously been distressed, sitting next to her at her desk chatting about life while they wait for me. Nothing is ever too much trouble.” Janet completed an NVQ Level


3 in administrative skills this year and her ICT skills are constantly growing, Ms Healy told our judges. Her relationships with the parents are also invaluable.


Award, Ms Healy, speaking on behalf of her leadership team, told SecEd: “Janet embodies the strengths of administrative teams in any school. She leads quietly, manages the leaders within the school to ensure they have the support needed to help young people, and is truly exceptional at managing parents and other professionals. We are so proud that she has been recognised for this work. I also hope this inspires more headteachers in alterna- tive, special schools and PRUs to champion their staff.” A joint message of congratula-


tions from the centre staff added: “We can always rely on Janet to put in 100 per cent with a willing smile on her face! Words like reliable, honest, trustworthy, conscientious and enthusiastic are often banded about too easily, but in Janet’s case they all apply in abundance.”


when dealing with difficult person- nel matters. I have never known Pamela to respond other than in a positive and supportive manner, despite feeling pressurised herself within her own role.” Pamela, who has previously


worked for a well known MP and for the marketing manager of Manchester United Football Club, prides herself on her knowledge of each of the 100-plus staff members at Tarporley and Ms Lee said she has played a proactive role in their wellbeing. She is also clerk to the governing


‘


body, the Education Improvement Partnership, and the Cheshire West and Chester Headteachers’ Association. Ms Lee added: “It is very difficult


to sum up in words just how much Pamela contributes to the life of our school. From collecting money for school charity events, ensuring the success of the tombola at the Christmas Fair, to spending time listening to an upset colleague on the phone, much of which she does because she always wants the best outcome for the school, not because it is ‘her job’ – because often it isn’t.” Pamela is also known in the


school for her love of animals and can often be found with students helping injured birds or protecting birds’ nests on the grounds. Ms Lee concluded: “In this,


as in so many other things she does, she embodies the values of our school to our students, their parents and our whole com- munity, reminding us of what is important.” On hearing of Pamela’s award,


Ms Lee added: “Pam has really added value in her role because she is so in tune with this big pic- ture of who and what we are as a school. She seemed to know it as soon as she first stepped through the door.” Chairman of governors, Tom


Crotty, added: “Brilliant and so well deserved. Pamela is a real asset to the school.”


It’s when you become a headteacher that you really appreciate a good PA. In fact there are times when your career depends on it


Richard Glasby, headteacher, Hassenbrook School


Gold Award: Pamela Zborowski, Tarporley High School & Sixth Form College, Cheshire


’


Silver Award: Janet Butterworth, Links Education Support Centre, St Albans


Bronze Award: Elaine Clayton, Royal Manor Arts College, Dorset


Highly Commended:


Kylie Burgess, Dunraven School, London Nicola Chalkley, Beaminster School, Dorset Christine Challoner, The Arnewood School, Hampshire Angela Cummings, East Bridgwater Community School, Somerset Angela Garry, Nottingham University Samworth Academy, Nottingham Bernie Holmes, Thomas Alleyne’s High School, Uttoxeter Yvonne Trott, Hassenbrook School, Essex


Finalists:


Jude Carter, Kingsdown School, Swindon Leslie Chilvers, Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, Kent Marie Haughton, Park View Academy, London Lesley Robinson, Whitefield School and Centre, London Brenda Smith, Addington High School, Croydon Wendy Tanner, Chatham Grammar School for Boys, Kent Kath White, Sheffield High School, Sheffield


2 SecEd • January 6 2011


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