Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards winners ‘blown away’ and ‘incredibly proud’

Rachel Clements was named Primary School Teacher of the Year after being nominated by a seven-year-old pupil who described her as the ‘best teacher in the land’.

Miss Clements, who is a teacher at St John the Baptist Primary School in Spalding, was presented with the award by Simon Stone, retail director of sponsors Springfields Outlet Shopping and Leisure.

Miss Clements said: “I am blown away just to have been nominated by a pupil but to have won is incredible.

“I got into teaching to make a difference to children’s lives and to make school an enjoyable and safe place for them.”

Runners up were Alice Keeling, of Gosberton Academy, and Louise Lewis, of Kirton Primary School.

The prize was one of eleven handed out at the 2023 Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards at Springfields on Thursday night.

The team from Wygate Park Academy, meanwhile, were over the moon to have won Primary School of the Year award, which was sponsored by Greencore.

Deputy head of school Wendy Devine said: “We are incredibly proud of the entire school community, the staff and pupils and their families for inspiring us to work hard every day.

“We are really proud and so excited.”

Runners up were Gosberton Academy and St John the Baptist CofE School.

The eco council and prom initiatives organised by Spalding Academy had secured the Environmental Champion award, which was sponsored by South Holland District Council.

In presenting the award Coun Liz Sneath said the Neville Avenue school had won the award as these initiatives promoted the motto ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’.

Head of School Jemma Curson said: “We are really excited - it is a great team effort.”

The prom outfit initiative, which includes suits and dresses, has been led by Mihaela Lammin, who was also delighted to have won.

She said: “It was pretty hard to start with as the children didn’t want to go in and borrow but if one does it and the rest follow.”

Martin Jolly looks after the eco-school initiative added: “It is fantastic to win. This is the first year we have run this. We started with six pupils and now have 20.”

Runners up were Wygate Park Academy.

The Pre-School of the Year award, sponsored by Riverside Training, went to Moulton Harrox Pre-School and Out of School Club, which offers a wide and varied curriculum with a child centred ethos.

“We’re absolutely honoured and thrilled to bits to have been nominated by the parents,” said joint-owner Karen Seekins.

“The little people are at the centre of everything we do.”

Co-owner Yvonne Fones added: “We’re delighted. It’s the icing on the cake.”

Runners up were BeBright Pre School and Lilliput Day Nursery.

The Bakkavor-backed Contribution to the Community award was won by Thomas Middlecott Academy’s Prom Cellar, which was set up to ensure no year 11 student would have to miss out on the big bash due to the cost of living crisis.

Following generous donations, youngsters can hire outfits worth up to £400 for £10 to cover cleaning costs.

“We’re over the moon but we didn’t do this to win awards, we did it for the students and the community,” said executive principal Kimberley Willmot.

“We held our prom two weeks ago and we were very proud of everyone. It was the best turnout we’ve ever had.

“It was lovely to see them all dancing the night away.

“The Prom Cellar isn’t just for proms. I hired a dress from there to go to a ball and the money from that will go back into the cellar for next year.”

Spalding High School’s Quarterly Magazine team and Spalding Grammar School’s Parents and Friends Association were runners up.

The Calthrops Solicitors Support Staff member of the Year went to Kirton Primary School’s Karen Chapman, who provides highly effective backing and intervention to the school’s most disadvantaged children.

“I was shocked but pleased to win,” said Karen, who has been at the school for 25 years, and still gets recognised by many of her old pupils.

“I do the job for the children, it’s a passion of mine. And it’s great to see it when they grasp what you’re teaching them.”

Runners up were Bourne Academy Librarian Stephanie Arden and Spalding Academy Attendance Manager Nicky Marks.