EDUCATION AWARDS 2019: Support Staff Award, sponsored by Calthrops Solicitors, of Spalding and Holbeach
Donna Dimeloe, administrator of a teacher training programme at The Deepings School, has been described as "the best support staff member on the planet".
Such high praise came from Nikki Benjamin, director of the School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme at The Deepings School, after Mrs Dimeloe won the Support Staff Award at the 2018 Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards.
Mrs Dimeloe followed in the footsteps of Mark Bryan, pastoral and behavioural manager at Bourne Academy, Ann Tilbury, who retired last summer after 25 years as a science technician at Spalding High School, and Theresa Earl who founded the Young Carers Group at Peele Community College, Long Sutton.
Speaking about Mrs Dimeloe, The Deepings School's assistant head teacher Richard Corner said: "Donna is the only administrative officer for SCITT which trains teachers from the schools of south Lincolnshire.
"As administrative officer, Donna coped single-handedly with 42 trainees in 2018, despite not being a teacher herself and having started with no expertise in teacher training.
"However, in the two and a half years since she started in SCITT, Donna made it her business to know the programme inside out so much so that it could not operate without her.
"Most importantly, Donna is the school's wellbeing officer which means that she always makes time to listen to trainees and staff alike.
"All of this, and so much more, is done by Donna with a smile and a happy word for everyone in order to put as many teachers in front of the children of south Lincolnshire as we can."
This year, the Support Staff award is sponsored by Calthrops Solicitors which is thought to be the longest established law firm in Spalding, having been founded nearly 160 years ago.
Sharon Macauley, of Calthrops Solicitors Spalding, said: "We have advised many clients through generations and seen both their children, and their children’s children, come through our doors.
"At Calthrops, we want to continue to see the future generation thrive in the local community and that is why we view the education of our children as an important aspect of our local community, both to society and the local economy.
"We hope to see them through to buying their first home or wanting advice in setting up a new business and many of the solicitors and staff here have children in primary and/or secondary education.
"Calthrops understands the importance of education and several members of our staff are involved in local primary and secondary schools as volunteers or governors in some cases.
"We are very proud to be sponsoring the Support Staff Award this year as it provides schools with the opportunity to recognise the contributions that individuals and teams make to successes and achievements within the overall school environment.
"Support staff are, in many cases, the unsung heroes of a school, ensuring the smooth running of activities so there is no disruption to teaching and learning, as well as providing a safe and enjoyable environment for pupil to thrive and develop in."
