Sussex Teacher of the Year Awards 2020: The Annual Celebration of Teaching Talent
A major annual celebration of teaching talent moved online to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of Sussex schools.
Usually a glittering gala at Jurys Inn Brighton over the summer, the Sussex Teacher of the Year Awards was instead streamed at 6pm on Wednesday, October 28 as a Facebook event.
Organised by children’s wellbeing cause, the Kent and Medway (KM) Charity Team, the virtual ceremony featured photographs and video clips of delighted winners receiving their accolades.
Among the messages of support was a video from best-selling children’s author and star of Britain’s Got Talent David Walliams.
Bedecked as Her Majesty the Queen in suitably glamorous surroundings he said: “Hello I am your queen. Not really, I’m David Walliams and I’d like to say a massive congratulations to all the Teacher of the Year winners and to those of you who have been nominated. Thank you all for the fantastic work you do.
“I’d also like to extend this to all teachers and people who work in education. You have been truly amazing in this difficult time.
“Now I’m sure there are so many deserving winners out there and I would press my golden buzzer for all of you. So don’t forget to nominate these heroes for next year’s KM Charity Team Teacher of the Year Awards at www.KMCharityTeam.co.uk. Thank you.”
Hosted by the charity’s tuxedoed CEO Mike Ward it was essential viewing for friends, family and colleagues of the 35 district winners - many of whom made a night of it with Covid-safe watch parties in school.
Mr Ward said: “Despite the current situation we were determined to celebrate the great work that people working in education across Sussex do every day.
“These awards recognise and thank anyone who plays a part in helping children to learn, grow, and develop, including teachers, caretakers, administration staff and many more.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t give them the gala evening they deserve - but hopefully, this event goes some way towards showing how much they are appreciated for their dedication and hard work.”
The top ten countywide champions were:
- Sussex School Volunteer of the Year: Morag Dalton, Camelsdale Primary School, Chichester
- Sussex Teaching Assistant of the Year: Cath Pankhurst, Summerlea Community Primary School, Arun
- Sussex NQT of the Year: Elizabeth Crowther, Breakwater Academy, Lewes
- Sussex School Business Manager of the Year: Debbie Taylor, Steyning C of E Primary School, Horsham
- Sussex STEM Teacher of the Year: Tristan Roberts, Priory School, Lewes
- Sussex Sports Teacher of the Year: Wayne Field, Langney Primary School, Eastbourne
- Sussex Team of the Year: Georgette Ayling & Bohunt Horsham Staff, Bohunt Horsham
- Sussex Primary School Teacher of the Year: Nicky Whittaker, All Saints and St Richards Church of England Primary School, Wealden
- Sussex Secondary School Teacher of the Year: Tom Ritchie, Angmering School, Arun
- Sussex Head Teacher of the Year: Janet Hogg, Ashdown Infant School, Wealden
Now in its third year, the Sussex Teacher of the Year Awards opened to nominations from members of the public in December for a period of three months.
Supporting organisations included West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council, Kreston Reeves, British Airways, 3D Recruit, The Education People, KCS, Jurys Inn, Sussex Newspapers, Diggerland, Streetspace, and Brighton and Hove City Council.
The virtual event is available to view at any time via the Inspire Schools / KM Charity Team Facebook page (https://fb.me/e/3AT8QCcUO), as are sister events the London and Kent awards which also streamed in October.
All are welcome to watch and share messages of support on social media.
The 2021 awards are now open to nominations at www.SussexTeacherOfTheYear.co.uk. Businesses interested in supporting the event should contact Mike Ward at mward@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 07925 434871.
Find out about the KM Charity Team’s green travel and literacy programmes for schools at www.KMCharityTeam.co.uk