Welcome I hope you are sitting comfortably with colleagues to watch the 2021 Islington Education Awards, brought to you this year on film. We are so sorry that we have been unable to meet in person! Thank you so much to all of you who participated in making these awards possible. It’s been a real revelation to see how the Islington Community of Schools (ICoS) has come together this year by nominating colleagues and filming the award presentations. And of course, ICoS hasn’t just supported the awards – you have all supported one another – in school, out of school and between schools. As always we are celebrating the amazing work of Islington’s education professionals. Working far ‘It is important to acknowledge the experiences and skills beyond the call of duty this year and last, our nominees have all demonstrated exceptional ambition, that lockdown has enabled children to have and develop. For many, innovation and excellence. Throughout the borough, Islington schools and settings have been beacons it has been incredibly challenging, but for others it has also been an in the storm that has been Covid, providing not just education, but food, tech and support to children and families both during term time and holidays. Please look out for examples of some of the many opportunity they wouldn’t have had otherwise, like spending ways that schools responded to the opportunities that Covid presented in our Silver Linings stories more time with their families, learning how to learn by themselves, throughout the programme – and in the film. and having extra time to find andexplore new hobbies.’ You will notice that the awards feature fewer categories this year. That’s because we anticipated having Yerbury Primary School to either hold a smaller in-person event or a film. Nevertheless we received nearly 100 nominations for nine awards across schools and settings in all phases, with each person, team or school put forward by their colleagues and peers. Choosing the winners was tough for all the judges, who were unanimous in their praise for the quality of the nominations. We are so glad to have the opportunity to showcase Islington’s best educators, each of whom shows ambition, innovation and excellence in their work. Maggie Elliott Ann Dwulit Chair, Islington Community of Schools, Chair of Governors, Vice-Chair, Islington Community of Schools The Edventure Collaborative and Governor, City of London Academy Executive Headteacher, Moreland/St Luke’s Primary Schools Highbury Grove and Hargrave Park Primary School It would be hard for the events of last year not to have changed us, and the way we do certain things. Across Islington, those working in education have shown agility in leadership, flexibility in thought and dedication to securing the best for our children and young people - meaning challenges became opportunities. ‘Staff arranged food parcels for our families from The ‘silver linings’ you’ll see throughout this programme, shared by many local charities as well as organising hygiene settings across the borough, define our ambition and innovation. essential packages. Our families, on their own accord, organised food vouchers and Christmas gifts for our vulnerable families and the offer has been remarkable.’ Prior Weston Primary School and Children’s Centre ‘Despite the many challenges of the closing ‘The school remained open at all times regardless of of the school for our children and families, the problems we encountered on this journey like no heating Children’s Champions were instrumental for a month when we had to keep all the windows open for in loaning out over 100 devices ensuring that ventilation. We did this with a smile on our face, and covered every child in the school had access to a head to toe with heavy coats, gloves and hats.’ device and data.’ Grafton Primary School Parents of Hanover Primary School And the nominees are... Senior Leader of the Year Bright Start Early Years Educator of the Year in association with Reed Talent Solutions. Presented by Siobhán McSweeney Presented by Kaya Comer-Schwartz Sue Brownson Gabby London Sharon Kelly Rae Armes Aleta Ramsay Ruby Uddin Deputy Head and Lead for Deaf Provision, Senior Lead, CurioCity Childcare Deputy Head/Head of Centre, New River 0-3 Coordinator, Prior Weston Primary School Nursery Teacher, Hugh Myddelton Primary Senior Early Years Educator, Laycock Primary School College Medical PRU and Children’s Centre School Archway Children’s Centre ‘Her understanding of deaf children’s complex ‘Gabby brings creativity and a positive working ‘Sharon finds solutions to challenges that make ‘An excellent role model for children and staff, ‘Everyone needs an Aleta in their school – we ‘Her sensitive approach enables children needs has ensured that collaborative work with spirit to the whole team and inspires all to pupils and staff feel empowered, fostering a which leads to her getting the best out of them. don’t know what we would do without her!’ to self-regulate. She uses different creative all the education and health professionals have achieve outstanding practice.’ sense of togetherness and team spirit that is Learners want to be like her!’ approaches to ensure she is meeting children’s supported children’s development.’ essential to working in this environment.’ needs holistically.’ Remote Learning Support Staff of the Year Presented by Peter Hoar in association with Transform Islington. Presented by Denise Welch Paul Beeton Satya Maremanda David Shemoon Gary Atkinson Samuel Owusu Ninfa Restrepo Assistant Head, Hanover Primary School Assistant Head – Digital Strategy, Assistant Head, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Premises Manager, The Edventure Teaching Assistant, Arts and Media School Teaching Assistant, Y3 and Specialist SEND Newington Green and Rotherfield Primary School Collaborative Islington Provision, Canonbury Primary School Schools Partnership ‘Gary is our long-standing, much loved, ‘Samuel’s work ethic is excellence personified ‘Her exceptional depth of knowledge and ‘The speed and success of our transition to home ‘Satya drove innovation in online learning, ‘Through an innovative funding scheme, David incredibly hard-working, hugely respected, wise and he is an ideal role model for our young experience of working with SEN means she has learning was thanks largely to Paul’s hard work, contributing to successful improvement in our ensured that every student had their own device, and wonderful premises manager.’ people with whom he has established rapport supported every single staff member with high enthusiasm and determination.’ live online teaching offer.’ meaning that all could access quality education, and respect.’ quality intervention work.’ whatever their circumstances.’ Headteacher of the Year Teacher of the Year in association with Discovery Education. Presented by Tamzin Outhwaite in association with London Metropolitan University. Presented by Paul Whitehouse Jack Sloan Francis González Deborah Shepherd Mohamed Abdelmula Fajri Aitken Hannah Perkins Headteacher, Hanover Primary School Headteacher, Richard Cloudesley School Headteacher, St Mary Magdalene KS4 Director of Learning and Maths Lead Maths Teacher, St Mary Magdalene Class Teacher and Maths Lead, Prior Weston Academy – The Courtyard Teacher, Beacon High School Academy – The Courtyard Primary School and Children’s Centre ‘His leadership through the pandemic has been ‘He is focused on the best outcomes for pupils ‘She continues to pursue perfection – the pupils ‘Mo relentlessly displays a strong belief in ‘What sets Fajri aside from the rest is his ‘Hannah is an enthusiastic and exemplary. His commitment to children is and ensuring schools share best practice and are not merely numbers, they’re unique the positive outcomes and progress that our investment in pupils who have experienced passionate teacher who wants the best remarkable as is his resilience in the face of expertise. Intent, implementation and impact individuals and she makes an effort to know students and school can achieve.’ difficulties and sometimes trauma. He invests outcomes for children and ensures very difficult times.’ are never far from his thoughts.’ every single one.’ time and limitless energy to achieve their emotional wellbeing is at the heart of all she potential.’ does.’ Green Award Governing Board of the Year Presented by Rosie Kurnaz in association with The Key. Presented by Michelline Ngongo Hargrave Park Primary School Montem Primary School Pooles Park Primary School City of London Primary Highbury Community Nursery Samuel Rhodes School Academy Islington ‘All children are invested in the maintenance of ‘Pupil voice is at the heart of our work on ‘Teachers regularly use our garden as an outdoor the school’s outdoor plants, which provide flowers, sustainability. Pupils have transformed the classroom to teach our pupils in many subjects ‘Keeping the school fresh and innovative ‘The Management Committee has proved that ‘All governors have brought their expertise into fruit & vegetables – including pumpkins that school’s approach to recycling and are working – in science, for exploring wildlife habitats and against the challenge of not having a no task is too much or out of reach for the HCN play this year, be it logistical planning or were Halloween disco prizes!’ to keep our playgrounds clean and litter-free.’ learning about lifecycles.’ permanent home. Governors adopt a holistic trustees. They are pro-active in seizing all the charitable leaders, and it has been very much a approach to children and their learning.’ opportunities to strengthen the school.’ feel of ‘all hands on deck’.’ Covid Champion in association with City, University of London. Presented by Linzi Roberts-Egan ‘Before Covid, around 30% of our students did not have access to a PC, laptop, Mac or other such large screen device at home. Now though, every single one of our students has their own Chromebook. Before Covid, not all of our teachers had realised the positive impact that using Christ the King RC Primary Grafton Primary School Abigail Miles School Y1 Class Teacher and PE Lead, online teaching and learning platforms could bring.