Outstanding teaching assistants honoured

The Peter Sutherland Award for the Outstanding Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) in Yorkshire and Humber 2012-13 has been awarded to Jennifer Blunstone of Nidderdale High School & Community College in Harrogate.

The Carnegie Leaders in Learning Award for the Outstanding HLTA in the North West 2012-13 has been awarded to Samantha Gibson of Kingsley St John's C of E Aided Primary School in Cheshire.

Finally, The Jenny Ellis Award for the Outstanding HLTA in the North East 2012-13 has been awarded to Lesley Henderson of Walbottle Campus, Newcastle.

HLTAs from across the region were nominated by school colleagues for their excellence in advancing the learning of pupils, working effectively as part of the school community and bringing expertise to the staff team.

The awards were introduced in 2010 by Carnegie Leaders in Learning, based at Leeds Metropolitan University, to commemorate the sudden and tragic deaths in 2009 of much loved and respected colleagues, Jenny Ellis from Sunderland Local Authority and Peter Sutherland from North Yorkshire Local Authority.

Awards were presented to HLTAs from the three regions of the North of England: North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber at a celebration event at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Shortlisted HLTAs, their guests and a senior representative of their school attended the ceremony.

The awards were presented by Dr Marie-Odile Leconte, Associate Dean of the Carnegie Faculty at Leeds Met, who commented: "We were all incredibly moved by last year's North West winner, Debbie Lyon, and her account of the impact of HLTA Status upon her life and role in her school. It has been a privilege to present this year's awards. All winners and shortlisted candidates are making an impressive difference to the lives of children and young people in our region."

HLTA status is a national status originally awarded by the Training and Development Agency and currently awarded by the HLTA National Assessment Partnership. It was introduced in 2004 and over 40 000 teaching assistants nationally have now achieved the status. In order to gain HLTA status candidates have to undertake a rigorous assessment process during which they have to demonstrate that they meet 33 professional standards in their work. Carnegie Leaders is a partner within HLTA North, the Regional Provider of Assessment in the North of England.

Jenny Ellis and Peter Sutherland worked tirelessly to raise the profile of HLTAs within Sunderland and North Yorkshire and to ensure that the deployment of HLTAs in schools was instrumental in making a difference for children and young people. Jenny and Peter were hugely respected by colleagues in other Local Authorities and was very committed to supporting colleagues and sharing good practice.

Carnegie Leaders in Learning is a partnership between Leeds Metropolitan University and CCDU Ltd and was created as a centre of excellence for leadership development opportunities for the children and young people's workforce.

Photo l-r:Jennifer Blunstone, Dr Marie-Odile Leconte, Samantha Gibson and Lesley Henderson