Colleagues from across the King Edward VI Foundation were recognised through the inaugural Foundation Awards programme, which concluded last week.
A total of 244 nominations were received for colleagues working in all 14 schools and the central team. A ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium last week saw the winners and those highly commended in each category receive awards. In addition to the categories for which nominations were invited, two special awards were presented: the CEO Award, determined by Jodh Dhesi, Foundation Chief Executive, and the Chairs’ Award, selected by Sharon Roberts, Chair of the Academy Trust Board, and Hywel Thomas, Chair of the Foundation Board. Long Service Medals – for colleagues at 25 years’ service – were also presented.
The winners and highly commended colleagues in each category were:
CEO Award
Liz Davis, Deputy Headteacher, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
“Liz exemplifies all the Foundation’s values. Excellence, in her drive and impact in improving standards of teaching and learning at her school. Ambition, in her desire for all children at the school to succeed. Accessibility, in her supporting children in one of Birmingham’s most challenging areas. Collaboration, in engaging so positively with the many people who have been involved in her school's journey, who at times have challenged her and the school. Care, in her support for her colleagues and her many years’ commitment to the school. Integrity, in her values-driven approach to school improvement. She shows great professionalism and dedication, with the utmost humility.”
Chairs’ Award
Jamie Woods, KS4 Senior Learning Mentor, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
“Jamie’s work encapsulates the spirit of the Foundation, helping students who are on the brink of permanent exclusion when they arrive at her school to receive a positive experience of education. She finds the many positive qualities in these children and builds upon their strengths, gradually transforming how they see themselves and the world around them - a life changing result for those individuals.”
Values Award: Accessibility
This person or team promotes accessibility and inclusivity. They provide opportunities to everyone, enabling others to thrive, regardless of their background.
Olivia Bréchon- Smith, Head of Sixths / Teacher of Maths, King Edward’s School
“Olivia strives for inclusivity and the promotion of EDI in all she does. Her development of the African and Caribbean Society (ACS) at Aston left an ongoing legacy and is something she has built upon through the joint ACS at KES and KEHS. The recent ACS conference was a triumph and a starting point to make sure that all students feel safe, supported and able to succeed as a part of our Foundation.”
- Aine Garvey, Librarian, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- Alison O'Grady, Teaching Assistant, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
- Amy Bishop, Partnerships and Participation Manager, King Edward VI High School for Girls / King Edward's School
- Bethan Siviter-Coupland, Teacher of RE, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Kate Wright, SENDCo, King Edward VI High School for Girls
- Kimmy Ghag, Teacher of English, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Zara Imran, EDI Lead / Teacher of Geography, King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy
Values Award: Ambition
This person or team has high aspirations and encourages others to have the same by enabling them to take advantage of any opportunities on offer and aim high.
Vanessa Bartlett, Assistant Headteacher, King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys
“Vanessa started out as a Teaching Assistant and is now Assistant Headteacher. She believes in every pupil and adult, always encouraging them to believe in themselves and donating her free time to teach others via a charity which is very close to her heart. She makes everyone feel that they can achieve everything they put their mind and effort into, going above and beyond to ensure the staff and pupils are happy and supported.”
- Fiona Smith, Assistant Headteacher, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Matthew Hodgkinson, Head of DT, King Edward VI Aston School
- Mick McCarthy, Year 7 Pastoral Leader / Head of Technology, and the Year 7 Form Tutor Team, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Nicole Wiessmann-Hubbard, Head of French, King Edward VI Aston School
- Rebecca Baker, ECT Mentor, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy
Values Award: Care
This person or team puts people's wellbeing and growth at the centre of what they do, and/or is committed to making a difference environmentally. Their approach makes a real difference to individuals and/or the world around us.
Denise Hopkins, Attendance and Family Support / Deputy DSL / Senior Mental Health Lead, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy
“Denise has a range of vitally important roles which all centre around caring for pupils and staff. She holds the wellbeing of the school community at the heart of everything she does and is an absolute asset to the staff team.”
- Elizabeth Wills, Head's PA, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Jamie Woods, KS4 Senior Learning Mentor, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
- Kate Linehan, Teacher of English, King Edward's School
- Lydia Kendall, Second in Department (Maternity Cover), King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys
- Mohammed Mohsin, Assistant Headteacher, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- Siobhan Tyrie, Associate Assistant Head, King Edward VI Five Ways School
Values Award: Collaboration
This person or team works across different departments, and/or schools, actively searching for people to share ideas with and get joint initiatives off the ground. They bring others along with them for the best results.
Matt Brady, Headteacher, King Edward VI Aston School
“Matt recognises his school as not just an educational institution, but also as a pivotal hub for community support. He demonstrates exceptional skills in fostering parental and community engagement, showcasing a natural ability to develop meaningful connections and partnerships.”
- Caroline Gillow, Second in English, King Edward's School
- Georgia Keloglou, Teacher of Chemistry, King Edward's School
- Hoang Nguyen, Head of Estates and Sustainability, Foundation Office
- Jane Glendenning, Assistant Head / FLE Safeguarding, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Lucy Hufton, Aspire Coordinator / Teacher of Geography, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
- Mick McCarthy, Pastoral Leader Y7 / Head of Technology, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
Values Award: Excellence
This person or team is distinctive in how they strive for and promote excellence, and the high quality of what they achieve makes a real difference.
Amir Kafai, Deputy Headteacher, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
“Through his hard work and unwavering commitment, Amir leaves a lasting impact on the lives of those around him, shaping not only their academic journeys but also their personal growth and development.”
- Emma Gallagher, Teacher of English, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Gurpreet Dhillow, Head of Mathematics, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- Hannah Proops, Director of Drama, King Edward VI High School for Girls
- Jenine Joyner, Head of Year 9, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy
- Lee Tallent, Head of Educational Development, Foundation Office
- Sahil Thaper, Head of Geography, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- Sophie Lester, Head of Art / FLE Access and Participation, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Vanessa Bartlett, Assistant Headteacher, King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys
Values Award: Integrity
This person or team is driven by doing the right thing at all times, being honest, responsible and accountable, and respectful of others' points of view. They may also seek to develop these traits within others.
Patricia McKenzie, Intervention and Behaviour Support Manager, King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls
"Patricia has worked tirelessly with the most disaffected students, encouraging them to believe in themselves, be responsible and accountable. Staff often seek her out to gain insight and advice, and past students have returned to thank her for the support she has given and explain how she made a difference to their lives.”
- Angela Buckley, Teacher of Biology, King Edward VI High School for Girls
- Craig Walker, Deputy Head, King Edward VI Five Ways School
- David Moorcroft, School Business Manager, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
- Kieran Lynch, Assistant Headteacher, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Marshall McDonald, Isolation Manager/Family Support Worker, King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls
Community Spirit Award
This person or team has actively contributed to the wider community, whether it be through fundraising, charity work, volunteering etc, seeking to make an impact outside of the Foundation.
Martin Leigh, Director of Music, and the Outreach Team, King Edward's School
“Martin and the team have developed a partnership project with a variety of primary schools across the city which seeks to develop children’s musical opportunity, experience and abilities, while also supporting KS2 teachers in an area in which they often lack confidence or experience. They have worked with many local primary schools and hundreds of children over the last six years.”
- BCFC Foundation, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Jenny Royall, Teacher of English / Cover Supervisor / Sustainability Lead, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
- Matthew Fox, Exams Officer / Cover Manager, King Edward VI Lordswood School for Girls
- Michelle Simcox, Head of Years 8 and 9, King Edward VI Aston School
- Sharon Murphy, KS3 Learning Mentor, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
Legacy Impact Award
The efforts of this person or team have a lasting impact upon the organisation. It could be a simple admin process that has revolutionised how people work, or a huge project that will bear fruit in the long run.
Jenny Royall, Teacher of English / Cover Supervisor / Sustainability Lead, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
"Jenny is a driving force on her school's work on sustainability. Her work has had a lasting impact on pupils and staff, and ultimately on the environment, including through the EcoSociety, Student Sustainability School Council, promotion of environmentally-friendly methods of travel and much, much more to promote sustainability both in and outside of school.”
- Ben Julian, Outdoor Education Lead, King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys
- Duncan Raynor, Contingent Commander - KES Combined Cadet Force, King Edward's School
- Paul Bruten, Deputy Headteacher, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- Rob Ratcliffe, Estates Manager, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls / King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- Suzanne Haslam-Dockerty, Head of HR Specialist Services, Foundation Office
- Tim Cooper, Teacher of Classics, King Edward VI High School for Girls
Unsung Hero Award
This person may not always be noticed for what they do, but their impact is huge. Without them, people would really feel a difference.
Paul Bickley, Site Manager, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
“Paul always goes above and beyond to ensure the school site is secure, and students and staff are able to go about their days safely. He and his team are often problem solving, never complaining and always trying to find solutions to issues, even when not asked, supporting students both in and outside of the school day. He is always advocating for others and always with a smile on his face.”
- Angela Squier, Teacher of Science, King Edward VI Five Ways School
- Anisha Ali, Lower School Pastoral Administrator, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Ann Akhtar, Pastoral Support Officer (Sixth Form), King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
- Bob Wills, Inclusion Manager, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Carolyn While, IT Systems Manager, King Edward's School
- David Wilson, IT Manager, King Edward VI High School for Girls
- Delyth Pear, Director of Human Resources and Administration, King Edward VI Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy
- Emma Fallon, Head of Biology, King Edward VI Five Ways School
- Jagminder Hundal, Teacher of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and PSHE, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys
- Liz Davis, Deputy Headteacher, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Lynn Stokes, ASD Coordinator, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
- Rebecca Orton, Pupil Premium Lead, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy
- Michelle Harris, Receptionist, King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys
- Lynne Ottaway, Receptionist, King Edward VI King's Norton School for Boys
- Ruth Hanaphy, Cleaner, Foundation Office / King Edward's School
- Vera Mills, Cleaner, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Yolanda Duckworth, Head of Year 11 & Careers Leader, King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy
Long Service Medals
Long Service Medals were presented to the following colleagues during the ceremony, with additional colleagues receiving their medals on other occasions:
- Pauline Cund, King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls
- Stefan Czepiel, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- Charlotte Hubble, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
- Colette Law, King Edward VI Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
- Janet Rose, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls
