www.sec-ed.com Bronze Award


Winner: Elaine Clayton School: Royal Manor Arts College, Dorset Headteacher: Paul Green


With 20 years’ service to her school and to three consecutive headteach- ers, this year’s Bronze Award has gone to Elaine Clayton (pictured, right). Elaine first began work at


Royal Manor, which is located on Portland, in 1990, working first alongside George Fletcher and then Marcia Headon before cur- rent headteacher and her nominator, Paul Green, arrived in 2000. Judges for the


SecEd


Headteachers’ PA of the Year Awards were impressed by Elaine’s incredible performance in her role, and also her dedication to the school’s students.


NEWS Mr Green described her as


“highly respected” by colleagues, students and parents and “an essential intermediary between the school and the community”. On top of this, Elaine, who has


been a foster carer in the past, has for 10 years worked as lead trainer for the school’s year 9 students who go on to become mediators for their year 7 peers. Mr Green said: “She employs


her considerable counselling skills in showing the students how to defuse situations, how to listen actively to younger children’s prob- lems, and how to mediate between students along the lines of a ‘restor- ative justice’ programme.” Elaine also acts as one of the


school’s mentor for year 11 stu- dents in the run-up to their summer exams. Mr Green added: “Elaine


The best of the rest Highly Commended


Kylie Burgess Dunraven School, London


Nicola has embraced technology in transforming the PA role and her enthusiasm also led to the adoption of parent-mail and a website which she keeps up-to-date. Mr Best continued: “She also


has antennae – when it comes to emotional intelligence she has no peer. I know about what people are thinking before they do. And this helps us to fine-tune our sys- tems and support colleagues. It is a wonderful asset to have in a hard- working and complex environment. Nicola is unfailingly loyal to me and to the school.” Nicola became a governor at the


school representing support staff some time ago and “contributes a great deal to meetings”. Mr Best added: “Nicola is a


Kylie Burgess (pictured above) from Dunraven School is an out- standing PA who leads by example. Indeed, principal David Boyle


says that her contribution to the school is so complete and signifi- cant it is hard to remember that she has only been in post for five years. He told us: “Kylie is a very hard


worker and leads by example. She works incredibly long hours when required in order to ensure that stu- dents have the best possible support and that key jobs get done.” Kylie has responsibility for a


number of whole-school events (including the prize presentation) and also for admissions – the foun- dation school receives 1,600 appli- cations for its 192 places. Kylie came to the school from


the media industry, but Mr Boyle praised her for quickly developing an appreciation for the world of education. He said: “Kylie spends a great


deal of time with students and fami- lies helping with problems – and sometimes with homework – and resolves matters wherever she can. She regularly performs as an unof- ficial member of the senior team which is above and beyond the call of duty. “I am immensely grateful for


all of the support that I receive from Kylie. I simply could not do the job that I do without her. The school would be a poorer place without her.”


Nicola Chalkley Beaminster School, Dorset Nicola only joined Beaminster, a 750-student comprehensive, in 2007 but has had an enormous impact on headteacher Mike Best. He told us: “Nicola has been


brilliant. We struggled for years to systemise what we do in a way which is efficient and transparent. Nicola’s hard work has helped us to do this.” Nicola handles all the school’s


personnel issues and has never missed a deadline or allowed Mr Best to forget important tasks.


SecEd • January 6 2011


natural optimist. She is unfailingly cheerful and helpful and I couldn’t do what I do without her. She is certainly my candidate for a gold award for services to the school and the community.”


Christine Challoner The Arnewood School, Hampshire Christine Challoner (pictured, below) has been PA to Chris Hummerstone at The Arnewood School for the past 13 years and he describes her as a third deputy head. Mr Hummerstone told us:


“When I first arrived at the school in January 1999, Christine had already been a secretary to the pre- vious headteacher who sadly died unexpectedly in post. She was instrumental in helping me under- stand the major elements of a suc- cessful school under his regime and at the same time allowed me space to develop my own style.” Christine is clerk to the gover-


nors and described as an excellent leader of support staff, particularly administrative and clerical col- leagues. Mr Hummerstone contin- ued: “Her efficiency and forward planning are both legendary. She also has an encyclopaedic memory of former students and is often able to provide an insight into individu- als and their families.” She is described as “calm and


unflappable” with members of the public and indeed staff, students and governors, which has earned her respect and admiration over her 20 years at the school.


Angela Cummings East Bridgwater Community School, Somerset Peter Elliott has only been a headteacher since January last year, but it became apparent to him very early on that having an outstanding PA was not only going to make his new job easier – it was actually going to make it possible. In January 2010, East


Bridgwater Community School was in category 4 following its last Section 5 inspection – this was down to problems with attendance, teaching and learning, and attain- ment. However, in July, Ofsted returned and described the progress that the school has made as “good verging on outstanding”. Mr Elliott said: “We are all


aware that school improvement is not down to one individual but is a collective effort. However, my PA had a significant part to play in helping me to lead this school forward and to achieving the rapid improvements seen in the last eight months.”


Christina McAnea Head of Education and children’s Services, UNISON


producing newsletters and articles for publication. Angela (pictured, above left) is


passionate about staff welfare – being instrumental in nominating the chef for a catering award and ensuring every member of staff gets a signed card from the head on their birthday. Angela’s first year in post was


heavily involved in setting up the academy – including transferring staff from the predecessor school, recruiting around 40 new staff, set- ting up policies and procedures, marketing the academy to local pri- maries, and creating the website Angela has started studies for an


MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling and hopes to use her skills to create a staff counsel- ling service in order to provide support for all in this busy environ- ment. She works extensively with the


A year ago, 10 per cent of stu-


dents were arriving more than 20 minutes late and Angela has played a pivotal role, often physically out in the playground, to help bring this figure down to one per cent. Mr Elliott described Angela


(pictured, above right) as highly dedicated and loyal to the school. She takes on organisation for a raft of events and is also responsible for the smooth running of the admin team. Mr Elliott added: “Headship is


a lonely business. I have always appreciated Angela’s honesty and frankness in our discussions at all times and her great sense of humour. I have only ever experi- enced her total support and I am immensely grateful.”


Angela Garry Nottingham University Samworth Academy, Nottingham Since being appointed by principal David Harris, Angela Garry has thrown herself into every aspect of life at Nottingham University Samworth Academy with enthu- siasm. A self-proclaimed geek, Angela


has been instrumental in setting up the academy’s web presence and


governors and sponsors, plus the senior leadership team, provid- ing what Mr Harris calls “the cog around which the many conflicting pressures of the academy revolve”. In her spare time, Angela is an


excellent singer, according to Mr Harris, and has released two singles (www.angelagarry.co.uk). She also has started a singing and perform- ing group for pupils who have been signed to the academy’s record label (the first student-run label in the UK).


Bernie Holmes Thomas Alleyne’s High School, Uttoxeter


Many congratulations to Pamela, Janet and Elaine and all the other finalists. It is great to see the professionalism and dedication of the PAs who have won and indeed all of those who were nominated. Schools increasingly rely on an effective team of staff to make them successful and welcoming places of learning where all talents are recognised. PAs often have a pivotal role in schools particularly as the link between teaching and management and the wide range of professional and support staff. UNISON is particularly pleased to sponsor these awards as we believe the contribution these staff make to schools and pupils needs to be widely recognised. These awards not only do that but also celebrate it. Reading the letters of recommendation for the finalists, it is clear that the job of a PA in a school is wide and varied, ranging from managing staff to looking after animals and being responsible for budgets as well as the welfare and wellbeing of students. One thing is clear – this is certainly not a dull or mundane job!


nates all the work of the PTA and supports a range of school and PTA functions. She also liaises with 16 other headteachers from the 13 first schools and three middle schools that fit into the Thomas Alleyne’s pyramid. Ms O’Farrell said: “She is


known and respected throughout all 17 schools and everyone feels they can approach her initially about any matter to do with the school.” Bernie also acts as the support


staff governor and makes valuable contributions to the strategic direc- tion of the school. Ms O’Farrell continued: “Only this week, she has prepared an analysis of all our extra-curricular provision for me to take to the governors’ meeting – in fact it was her idea to present this.” Bernie manages seven mem-


bers of support staff and is praised for the “competent way in which she handles a number of complex issues”. Ms O’Farrell added: “Already


this term she has been involved in updating my SEF, completing bids, managing my diary and making excellent suggestions for me to fol- low up. She is proactive in suggest- ing ideas to improve the school and most importantly has my welfare as well as that of others at the forefront of her mind. Bernie goes out of her way to support everyone in the school community.”


Suzanne O’Farrell, headteacher of Thomas Alleyne’s, says that her PA Bernie Holmes (pictured, above) has earned the respect of the entire school community as well as that of the school’s key stakeholders. Bernie organises and co-ordi-


Yvonne Trott Hassenbrook School, Essex Yvonne Trott has been in post at Hassenbrook School since 1987 and has worked through periods of great difficulty including falling rolls and low performance through to its current high levels. Headteacher, Richard Glasby, said: “Throughout this Yvonne has


always volunteers and takes this responsibility extremely seri- ously; I often walk in to find her listening to a student who is under stress, providing the tissues to wipe tearful eyes and offering encouraging advice about revision or sleep patterns.” Elaine’s counselling skills with


colleagues also are noted, espe- cially with new members of staff. She also manages the school office and dinner supervisors. After being told of Elaine’s


award, Mr Green told SecEd: “I am delighted that all of Elaine’s selfless work over the past few years has been recognised by this prestigious award. She thoroughly deserves the accolade and, although no doubt embarrassed by it at first, will I know secretly be very pleased. “Above all, I know that very many students and staff at Royal


Manor Arts College will be just as happy for her.” The news went down well


across the school. Business man- ager Maria Smith said: “It is well


deserved and recognises her profes- sionalism and dedication to the role. She always has time for students and staff alike and gives above and beyond both to the headteacher and the administrative team. She is a fantastic ambassador for the college and I know all the staff, students, parents and governors will want to congratulate her on a fantastic achievement over many years of service.” Graeme Sawyer, director of


inclusion, added: “Not only is she an excellent PA but she has always had great relationships with the stu- dents. As a trained counsellor she has helped me run our mediation scheme for many years.”


been a steadfast worker for the school. She shows a real devotion to standards in the school and takes a real pride in its standing in the community.” In addition to her normal role,


since September 2009, Yvonne (pictured, above) has also handled the administration of one-to-one, persuading parents of its value and co-ordinating times and making calls to send students home when they fail to respond to on-call pro- cedures. Mr Glasby continued: “I cannot


describe to you her authority with students. “She commands respect and


the students respond accordingly. They always follow her instruc- tions. When Yvonne stands in the ‘no-entry’ corridor students do not even attempt to pass through.” Mr Glasby also describes the


personal impact Yvonne has had because of the magnificent support she has given him after his mother became ill: “Yvonne always takes time to listen,” he added. Mr Glasby concluded: “Yvonne


sets very high standards in all her work. She works well with staff and students alike. She gives support way beyond her brief. Yvonne is loyal to the school and to the head and we would all be lost without her.”


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