Schools from Crowland, Gosberton, Spalding, Sutton Bridge and Thurlby strike gold at our Education Awards
Two Spalding schools scooped the top honours at this evening's Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards.
Spalding High School won four awards on the night and was crowned Secondary School of the Year, while Wygate Park Academy claimed two, including the Primary School of the Year accolade.
The glittering ceremony was held at Springfields Events Centre in Spalding, supported by headline sponsor Duncan & Toplis.
The High School was also celebrating after the Inspirational Secondary School Teacher award was announced, with Head of Mathematics Sarah Chalcraft winning. Thurlby Academy Early Years Foundation Stage teacher Suzie Philips was crowned Inspirational Primary School Teacher.
Selfless sixth-form student Libby Mayne, of Spalding Academy, won the Secondary School Student of the Year award, with Gosberton Clough and Risegate youngster Coby Smith and Crowland South View pupil Lily Brooks jointly winning Primary School Student of the Year.
Pre-School of the Year went to BeBright of Spalding, with the Environmental Award giving Wygate Park Academy - its second success of the evening.
There was a third success of the night for Spalding High School when Year 11 students Emily Sansom, Abi Barks, Paige Burton and Charlotte Pool scooped the Contribution to the Community accolade and a fourth when Outstanding Sporting Achievement went to High School golfer Tilly Garfoot.
The evening was co-hosted by Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press editor Jeremy Ransome and events manager Sharron Marriott, with entertainment from Spalding theatre company Act II and students from University Academy Holbeach.
Making the opening speech, Alistair Main said Duncan and Topliss were delighted to be the headline sponsor, as they have been for every one of the six years the awards have run.
He said: “It is fantastic to be back in a room and celebrating with amazing teachers, schools and students in our area.”
MP Sir John Hayes, who rushed back from Westminster to make the closing comments, said the greatest challenges of the pandemic were seen in the very old and the very young.
He said: “Just as it has been a challenge for all of us, it has been an immense challenge for those into whose hands we place the futures of young people. They have met that challenge with relish and determination.”
The evening was co-hosted by Spalding Guardian and Free Press editor Jeremy Ransome and events manager Sharron Marriott, with entertainment from Spalding theatre company Act II and students from University Academy Holbeach.
Full reports and photos in a special eight-page feature in Tuesday's Lincolnshire Free Press.