Awards prove winners are worth their weight in gold
Last updated at 11:08, Friday, 07 October 2011
HIGH flyers in the world of education and training were honoured at the 2011 CN Education and Learning Awards last night.
The event, now in its second year, highlights the work of outstanding and inspirational figures involved in the running of schools, colleges and apprenticeship programmes.
The winners of the awards were revealed following a glittering gala dinner at Energus at Lillyhall.
And three of the 19 trophies handed out were brought back to South Cumbria.
Employer of the Year went to Barrow Borough Council in recognition of its commitment to continually training its staff and helping them build on their skills throughout their careers.
To date, more than 45 council employees have completed NVQs in areas including customer service, IT, administrations, electrical maintenance and team leading.
More than 35 have done numeracy and literacy courses.
The evening also brought success to Ulverston.
Ulverston Victoria High School was awarded Secondary School of the Year.
The school was honoured in recognition of its incredible feat in turning itself round from being a failing school in special measures to being ranked Outstanding by Ofsted – the highest grading possible.
UVHS is one of only two schools in the country to have achieved the turn-around in the last five years.
Finally, the most prestigious honour of the night, the CN Education and Learning Lifetime Achievement Award went to Graham Hodgson, who recently retired as deputy principal of capital projects at Furness College.
Mr Hodgson is credited with the college’s new £40m campus, and the legacy it will leave for future generations across South Cumbria.
He has also had a long and prestigious career at the college, serving as a lecturer, manager, senior leader and project manager.
But Mr Hodgson is most well known for his compassion and kindness. Other college staff told of his dedication to checking the college during snowfall and flooding, and described how he set up a summer school for young people whose lives were affected by Cumbria’s foot and mouth outbreak.
• See Saturday’s Evening Mail for a special report on the Golden Apples awards
First published at 08:24, Friday, 07 October 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
Well done UVHS yet another award for the team lead by the outstanding Mr. Fay.
Posted by brian on 10 October 2011 at 14:24