Our STAR and GEM Awards honour staff who shone and sparkled brightly in 22/23

Principal Lee Probert handed out the awards and also gave a speech that looked back on an eventful year, encompassing the challenges presented by an Ofsted inspection and a bomb scare.

Lee also stressed the wonderful work carried out by our staff to help students continue to fulfil their maximum potential in a safe and inclusive learning environment on Sim Balk Lane.

We would like to congratulate all of the 200-plus staff members who were nominated for an award and make special acknowledgment to Lynne Mountford and Brian Clay, who were both recognised with 35-year Long Service Awards.

The full list of awards winners was:

10-Year Long Service Award: Graeme Butcher, Paul Harrison, John Wray, Caroline Hudson, Sian Mantovani, Tim Stephenson, Steve Atkin, Neil Parry, Katka Trory, Martin Atkinson, Camile Kennedy.

15-Year Long Service Award: Kelly Lee, Ruth McKelvey, Karen Foster, Sandra Hunt, Emma Bowers, Leone Bentley, Mandy Hardy, June Agnew, Jill Lister, Alison Armstrong.

20-Year Long Service Award: Carole Rutter, Michelle Neryd, Andy Higgs, Alan Bates.

25-Year Long Service Award: Andy Alexander.

35-Year Long Service Award: Lynne Mountford, Brian Clay.

STAR Award winners: Dav Doone, Charlotte Calder, Pam Sutherland, Kelly Lee, Nikki Hill, Shvonne Harland, Jo Drever-Smith, Kevin Pratt.

GEM Award winners - Top of the Class Award (Success): Emma Heathcote, Bethan Read, Charlotte Calder, Ruth Mayhew.

Dare to Dream Award (Ambition): Clare Kirton, Sharon Barrington, Patrick Wilson.

Total Respect Award (Respect): Dale Osborne, Gemma Thomas.

Consummate Carer Award (Care): Heather Sherman, Mike Tansey, Matthew McMinn.

Open Category Award: Chris Murphy, Jill Tweddle, Andy Davis, Carole Rutter.

Health & Safety Champion: Daniel Dickson.

Supporting Student Health and Wellbeing Award: Jane Mitchell, Nigel Ellwood.

Supporting Staff Health and Wellbeing Award: Emma Bexon, Emily Grimes.

How2 Champion of Champions: Tom Webster.

Collaborative Champions: Jill Tweddle and Richard Lacey.

Team "All Rounder" Award: Repographics Team, Student Engagement Team, Apprenticeship Team.