Awards

SecEd PA of the Year Awards 2010: The Winners

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The transformational impact that one headteacher’s PA has had in their school has earned them the title of SecEd’s Headteachers’ PA of the Year 2010.

Pamela Zborowski from Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College in Cheshire becomes the fifth PA to win this prestigious annual award.

Pamela joined the school in 2005, and in her nomination headteacher Sarah Lee described the impact she has had in that short time with staff, students, parents and the community.

She told us: “Pamela has utterly transformed the PA role and has become part of the lifeblood of the school. She has achieved this largely through the warmth and infectiousness of her personality, but also through her dedication and professionalism.”

Last year, hundreds of headteachers submitted nominations for the 2010 awards, which are being supported by UNISON, and a rigorous judging process took place over six weeks to decide the winners.

Today we can for the first time announce the class of 2010 with Pamela leading the way after receiving our Gold Award.

Our Silver Award this year goes to Janet Butterworth who works as PA to Tracey Healy at the Links Education Support Centre, a pupil referral unit (PRU) in St Albans. Janet is the first winning PA to work in a PRU in the award’s history.

Ms Healy said: “The workplace is extremely stressful and managing the staff to cope with this level of stress is a delicate and important 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.”

We travel to Dorset to meet our Bronze Award winner for 2010. Elaine Clayton has worked at Royal Manor Arts College in Portland since 1990, serving three headteachers in that time.

Current head Paul Green described the high respect that all colleagues, students and parents have for Elaine, particularly praising her counselling skills and her work as lead trainer for year 9 students who become mediators for their younger peers in the school.

Pete Henshaw, editor of SecEd and chairman of the judging panel, said that the standard among the nominations was once again incredibly high. He continued: “In the past five years, we have received getting on for 1,000 nominations for this presitigous award. Every year the decision has been so difficult – and this time around was no different.

“This is why we always try to recognise as many finalists as possible – and why we term all of our finalists as winners of the title of PA of the Year. The excellence of Pamela, Janet and Elaine, and of all our finalists is testament to the skills, talent, dedication and passion that defines the PAs who work in schools across the UK. Congratulations to all our winners.”

Our finalists this year have also been praised by Christina McAnea, head of education and chidren’s services at award sponsors UNISON. She said: “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.

“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! Many congratulations to all the finalists.”

The awards this year recognise 14 further PAs from across the UK with seven highly commended winners and seven finalist certificates being awarded.

Gold Award

Pamela Zborowski

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 transformed” 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 professionalism”. She told us: “Pamela speaks from the heart and always actively promotes the school, giving a perspective that permeates from her active involvement in school life, frequently 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 students, not least with the Student Ambassador Award.

Pamela works closely with a large number of students within the school, leading a group of student ambassadors who assist her as student guides for interview candidates and visitors.

She works with the students, 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 students through their GCSE examinations.

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 continue 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 when dealing with difficult personnel 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 community, 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 picture 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.”

Silver Award

Janet Butterworth

Education Support Centre, St Albans

Headteacher: Tracey Healy

The professionalism and discretion 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 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 supports young people who have all experienced “great failures, trauma and abuse” – many are aggressors as well as victims.

She told us: “The work place is extremely stressful and managing the staff to cope with this level of stress is a delicate and important 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 discretion”, Janet often knows when to step in during complex and sensitive reconciliations and discussions. Ms Healy continued: “She can sense when a young person might need a break or just a chat with 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.

Ms Healy said: “Janet has enormous compassion, coupled 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 loyalty, respect, efficiency, humour, sensitivity, and calmness.”

After hearing of the Silver 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 alternative, special schools and PRUs to champion their staff.”

A joint message of congratulations 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.”

Bronze Award

Elaine Clayton

Royal Manor Arts College, Dorset

Headteacher: Paul Green

With 20 years’ service to her school and to three consecutive headteachers, this year’s Bronze Award has gone to Elaine Clayton.

Elaine first began work at Royal Manor, which is located on Portland, in 1990, working first alongside George Fletcher and then Marcia Headon before current 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.

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 problems, and how to mediate between students along the lines of a ‘restorative justice’ programme.”

Elaine also acts as one of the school’s mentor for year 11 students in the run-up to their summer exams. Mr Green added: “Elaine always volunteers and takes this responsibility extremely seriously; 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, especially 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 manager Maria Smith said: “It is well deserved and recognises her professionalism 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 students. As a trained counsellor she has helped me run our mediation scheme for many years.”

FInalists of the 2010 awards

Highly Commended

• Kylie Burgess: Dunraven School, London
• Nicola Chalkley: Beaminster School, Dorset
• Christine Chaloner: 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
• Carol Bailey, Poole Grammar School, Dorset
• 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

Previous PA of the Year Gold Winners

Julia Marks, Dayncourt School, Nottingham

When the local authority began consulting on the closure of Dayncourt School in Nottinghamshire, it was Julia Marks – PA to headteacher Tim Mitchell – who stood strong, rallied the school’s staff, and staunchly refused to let her colleagues throw in the towel.

In July 2009, the school’s future was secured after the council withdrew the threat of closure. According to Mr Mitchell, this was more to do with Julia than with any other individual within the school establishment.

He told us: “Julia kept the faith – even when my own was on the wane. She poked, prodded, chivvied and chided. She kept me focused and on track. She believed.”

Julia’s amazing contribution to the future of her school earned her the top prize at the 2009 SecEd Headteacher’s PA of the Year Awards. Mr Mitchell added: “The most telling contribution during the turmoil of the past 12 months has been Julia’s dogged persistence in seeing a way forward.”

Julia is pictured with Mr Mitchell above.

Pam Waters, Forest Gate Community School, London

The story of the incredible support that Pam Waters gave her head Margaret Wheeler during a seven-month battle with cancer won Pam the 2008 SecEd Headteacher’s PA of the Year title.

Ms Wheeler was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. In her nomination she told us: “I was away from the school for seven months undergoing treatment.

“The school was placed in the capable hands of my first deputy. Pam supported the deputy and was able to smooth the transition. Then, when my first deputy got appendicitis, she helped the second deputy who had only been in post a short time. Many people said that Pam ran the school during that very difficult time.”

Pam is also deputy child protection officer at the school, which brings her into contact with some of the school’s most troubled youngsters.

Ms Wheeler added: “To watch her, a five-foot dynamo, dealing with an angry or upset teenager is a marvel to see. The students really appreciate and respect her.”

Pam (front) is pictured with her headteacher above

Debbie Ferry, George Green’s School, London

Debbie’s unstinting dedication to the children of George Green’s School won her the SecEd Headteacher’s PA of the Year title in 2007.

Headteacher Kenny Frederick described Debbie as invaluable, both to her and the children of the inclusive Tower Hamlets school, many of whom are vulnerable and have complex needs.

Alongside her PA duties, Debbie spends much of her time working directly with these young people and with their parents and carers.

Debbie, pictured above, has tutored many of the young people at the school over a number of years and many children come to her for advice.

Ms Frederick said: “Debbie is someone who represents everything George Green’s School stands for – all different, all equal. She has a heart of gold and she looks after staff and pupils alike. She supports the most vulnerable youngsters in our school and makes them feel valued and cared for. We are extremely proud of her.”

Judi Davies, Blackwood Comprehensive School, Gwent

Celebrations at our first ever SecEd Headteacher’s PA of the Year Awards, were doubly poignant as our Gold winner, Judi Davies, picked up the prize on the day of her retirement after 41 years serving at the same school.

Judi, then aged 60, was left speechless after her Gold Award was announced and headteacher Mike Pickard described her as “irreplaceable”.

Mr Pickard, pictured with Judi above, said that Judi’s knowledge of the school and all those who had ever passed through it was “encyclopaedic”.

In his nomination, he wrote: “During her 41 years she has embraced technological advances, consistently maintaining the highest standards of work and always paying attention to how the school is perceived in the community. Judi is immensely popular with all staff and the governors.”

As well as Mr Pickard, Judi attended the awards with her partner, Alan Arrowsmith, who praised her for not only her dedication to the school, but her commitment to helping him through a prolonged spell of ill health.