Outstanding young people recognised at third Harlow Education Awards

30 Nov Outstanding young people recognised at third Harlow Education Awards

The outstanding educational progress of 84 young people was recognised at the annual Harlow Educational Progress Awards held last Thursday (24 November 2016) at the Civic Centre.

The awards, organised by Harlow Council and the Harlow Strategic Educational Attainment Partnership, reward and recognise young people who have made significant progress in their education and who have made a real contribution to their schools and the community. This year there was also a category for Harlow College students.

With the awards now in their third year, a record number of nominees were made this year with 84 young people nominated for the progress and contributions they have made at different learning stages often overcoming significant challenges to do so.

In front of a packed Council Chamber the young people collected their awards from Dame Claire Bertschinger DBE DL. Claire is Director for the Diploma in Tropical Nursing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Before the awards Claire shared her inspirational story on how she progressed from school to work life not knowing she was dyslexia.

PICTURED: Claire Bertshinger

In 1984, Claire was working as an International Committee of Red Cross field nurse located in Ethiopia during the famine, running a feeding centre. When a BBC news crew appeared with reporter Michael Buerk, Claire gladly told her story to highlight the problems. It was this report that inspired Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to create Band Aid to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief.

Each young person was given a framed certificate and gift vouchers to mark their achievement. Trophies were presented to winning schools. (please see attached photos)

Winners Key Stage 1 – 2:

Forty-six young people won awards in this category including first place, second place and third place awards.

Overall winner for outstanding progress between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2: Aaron Hynd of Churchgate Street School

Winning school: Churchgate Primary School

Winners Key Stage 2 – 3:

Eighteen young people won awards in this category including first place, second place and third place awards.

Overall winner for outstanding progress between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3: Chloe Nicholson of Burnt Mill Academy

Winning school: Burnt Mill Academy

Winners Key Stage 3 – 4:

Eighteen young people won awards in this category including first place, second place and third place awards.

Overall winner for outstanding progress between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4: Hugo Wilson of Burnt Mill Academy

Winning school: Burnt Mill Academy

Harlow College:

Outstanding progression winner – Christina Saysell

Apprentice of the year – Jay Gumble

Overall winner of 2016 Harlow Educational Progress Awards:

Aaron Hynd

Overall winning school:

Churchgate Primary School

The full roll of honour can be viewed at: www.harlow.gov.uk/educational-progress-awards

The awards were hosted by Harlow Council’s Chief Executive, Malcolm Morley, who set up the awards in 2014 and funds them through having forgone a pay raise.

Malcolm Morley said: “I was delighted to see a record number of people nominated this year, which shows how hard young people are working to learn and progress at school or college. The young people recognised by the awards have illustrated by their energy, enthusiasm and achievement their ability and desire for educational progression. They are positive role models for other young people and I look forward to the awards next year when other young people can be similarly recognised. Young people in Harlow have huge potential and I’m sure that those recognised will continue to fulfil their potential. We want Harlow’s young people to be in a position to get the top jobs and take the career opportunities which will be created with Public Health England’s relocation to the town and the development of the Enterprise Zone.”

Dame Claire Bertschinger DBE D, said: “It was an honour to be at the Harlow Educational Progress awards and meet such inspiring young people. These are inspirational future leaders for our planet. More young people like this and we are in good hands!”