A local headteacher from Cockshut Hill School, part of the Summit Learning Trust, has gained national recognition by being named as a finalist in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards. Headteacher, Jason Bridges, is one of just a handful across the country shortlisted for the Headteacher of the Year in a secondary school category.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards were founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational headteacher, like Mr Bridges, can have on the lives of the young people they work with. Finalists will find out if they have received a Bronze or Silver certificate on National Thank a Teacher Day on June 19th and Gold winners will be announced in November and will be invited to appear on the BBC’s The One Show.
Jason Bridges became Principal of Cockshut Hill in 2016 – returning to a place with strong personal ties, as the school his own mother attended. Then, the school was just out of special measures, but Jason’s infectious determination to ensure Cockshut Hill lived up to its motto of #NothingButTheBest and exemplary leadership style heralded the start of a hugely positive journey – culminating in an Ofsted ‘Good’ just a year ago.
Against the backdrop of community hardship through the pandemic and cost of living crisis, Jason has taken to heart Summit Learning Trust’s Base Camp initiative to meet learners’ basic needs and attends the free breakfast club each day. He is on the gate to meet learners every morning and enjoys an approachable relationship with them – with one learner commenting: “I know I can talk to him if I have a problem.” His aspirations for their success, regardless of background, never waiver.
As a local figure, his commitment extends to the community beyond the gates too, and he regularly engages with local residents to make sure the school is being a good neighbour – getting involved in litter picks and holding ‘surgeries’. Nominated by his PA, Jason is a popular figure on the staff team who describe him as “the team leader [who] remains one of the team”. In summary, “He is the most caring boss but also a revolutionary who works endless hours putting his vision for Cockshut Hill into practice.”
Another staff member from Cockshut Hill has also been listed for an award, Natalie Hagan is an assistant Principal for Teaching & Learning and she has been nominated for the Digital Innovator Award. The award recognises those standout individuals who lead the way by using digital technologies creatively within their education communities to improve teaching and learning outcomes. Natalie was nominated because of her pioneering excellence in using IT to improve processes and procedures across the trust and for increasing wellbeing via the use of technology in the classroom.
Over at Ninestiles, an Academy, also part of the Summit Learning Trust, Teaching Assistant Sharfa Chohan has been nominated in the TA of the Year category. Sharfa, who has only been in the role for a year has made a huge impact on the whole Ninestiles community. She has played a key part in welcoming the current Year 7 group and helped to improve communication and connection with local parents. She has even delivered child-centred reviews at their own home in their family’s home language, ensuring the experience is both accessible and successful.
Vince Green, CEO of Summit Learning Trust said:
“Everyone at Summit Learning Trust is proud of our colleagues Mr Bridges, Ms Hagan and Ms Chohan. To be nominated for a Pearson National Teaching Award is a significant achievement and is a testament to the high quality education and care that is delivered at Cockshut Hill, at Ninestiles, an Academy and across our family. All three individuals would be worthy winners, and we wish them the very best in the final judging stage.”
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More information:
- Cockshut Hill School was rated as Good, with Outstanding in Personal Development by OFSTED in June 2023.
- Ofsted recognised that leaders have “worked extensively to ensure that the school’s aim of ‘nothing but the best’ applies to every aspect of provision for students at Cockshut Hill School.”
- Ninestiles, an Academy is rated Good by Ofsted.
- Ofsted inspectors noted that pupils at Ninestiles do well socially and academically and that the pastoral care and support given to pupils is highly effective.
- Ninestiles is an aspirational and inclusive academy that champions the values of respect, commitment and achievement.
