Paxman Academy celebrate two commendations in education awards

A school pastoral lead who has gone “above and beyond” in supporting a student with complex needs has been praised at a top education awards ceremony.

Nicola Jones, from Paxman Academy, was highly commended award in the Support Staff of the Year category in the recent Essex Teaching Awards.

Nicola was said to have shown “compassion, dedication and care”, with judges stating: “Supporting a student with complex mental health needs, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that school remains a safe and accessible place.

“Their consistent communication and willingness to check in on difficult days provide reassurance not only to the student but to their family as well.”

And Paxman Academy had double reason to celebrate at the awards ceremony after also being highly commended in the Making a Difference - Secondary School of the Year category.

The award celebrates secondary schools that transform the lives of students and enrich the community, modelling excellent secondary education.

Paxman was nominated by a numbers of parents who spoke about their “deep gratitude and emotion”.

Their nomination speech said: “Time and again, they describe how the school has changed their child’s life, helping them overcome anxiety, re-engage with learning, and rediscover their confidence.

“These stories are not isolated; they reflect a consistent, compassionate approach from a pastoral team that listens, supports, and never gives up.

“Whether arranging home tuition, offering emotional guidance, or simply being a steady presence, the staff have made a profound difference.

“For many families, this school has been more than an educational setting, it has been a lifeline.”

Head of School Debbie Kershaw: “We are delighted to be highly commended in two categories of the Essex Teaching Awards.

“We are very proud of Nicola whose commitment to providing the best possible support to our students is typical of the values and ethos running throughout Paxman Academy.”