Today, students and staff at Northampton Academy are celebrating after the academy was announced as one of the country's 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact inspirational staff can have on the lives of the young people they work with.
The school has been honoured with a Silver Award in The Award for Making a Difference – Secondary School of the Year in celebration of the exceptional commitment it shows to enriching the lives of its young people and developing good character. Accredited with the prestigious Kitemark Plus Award for character education, the academy also supports other schools across the country in strengthening their own provision.
As a Silver Award winner, the academy is being honoured as part of wider celebrations for national 'Thank a Teacher' Day, which brings together people across the country to celebrate the schools and colleges at the heart of our communities. The academy has also been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year.
Chris Clyne, Principal at Northampton Academy, said:
“We are so pleased to have received this award which celebrates the inspiring efforts and dedication shown by our staff, parents and young people over the past year. Whilst the pandemic has been a challenging time for us all, I am extremely proud of the way our school community has joined together and overcome any obstacles we’ve faced. It is a privilege to serve this community and we will continue to strive every day to nurture our young people and help them achieve their very best.”
Sharon Hague, Managing Director of Schools at Pearson UK, said:
"Congratulations to today's Silver Award winners on their incredible achievement; they should all feel very proud of themselves. And thank you to all the incredible educators and support staff across this country who really do make our schools and colleges so special. I am delighted that we can take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate all that you do for the young people in your care."
Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi said:
"Congratulations to Northampton Academy on this incredible achievement and for the hard work and dedication which led up to it. Winning this award is impressive, well-deserved and shows Northampton Academy's commitment to helping students achieve their full potential."
Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children's Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust said:
"For so many of us, it was someone at school who changed our lives, was at our side through hard and difficult times, who lifted us up when we were down, helped us find our voice, gave us confidence when we needed it most, and set us on a path that we have followed ever since.
"No matter who we are, school has touched our lives and played a central role in our childhoods. School is about so much more than learning, and we see that now more than ever before. Schools really are the beating heart of our communities. Every person that cares for our children in schools should be celebrated loud and clear on Thank A Teacher Day 2022."