23/07/04 - Teachers, school staff and schools were honoured at Darlington's first education awards that took place earlier this month. The ceremony was held at the St George Hotel, at Teeside International Airport. Peter Barron, Editor of the Northern Echo, introduced the event which was hosted by the Council's Director of Education, Geoff Pennington.
Stephen Harker, the Council's Cabinet Member for Education presented the awards, he said: "The event allows the Council to recognise and acknowledge the commitment and achievement of our school staff and it gives them the opportunity to share ideas and to celebrate their success."
The award winners were:
Leadership of the Year - The Federation Team, Eastbourne Comprehensive and Hurworth Maths & Computing College: Teacher of the Year (Primary) - Janet Swainston, Heighington Primary School: Teacher of the Year (Secondary) - June Harness, Haughton Community School: Newly Qualified Teacher of the Year (Primary) - Susan Wilson, Dodmire Infant School: Newly Qualified Teacher of the Year (Secondary) -Monique Rickaby, Eastbourne Comprehensive School: Teaching Assistant of the Year - Melanie Pitchford, Hurworth Maths & Computing College: Support Staff of the Year - Lilian Shutt, Middleton St George Primary School: Governor of the Year - Barbara Collishaw, Longfield Comprehensive School: Most Community Focused School - Skerne Park Primary School: Excellence In All Round Performance (Primary) - Heathfield Primary School: Excellence In All Round Performance (Secondary) - Hurworth Maths & Computing College.