Hillside nominated for WOW Recognition Award
A massive Congratulations must go to all of our colleagues at Hillside High School after the school was nominated for the WOW Recognition Award at the Educate Awards 2025.
Hillside High School has been nominated for this prestigious award in recognition of its leadership of 'a truly unique and inspirational initiative that supports Initial Teacher Training (ITT), delivers high-quality Early Career Teacher (ECT) provision, and, most powerfully, brings former students back to teach alongside their own teachers.'
Georgia Mai Wharton and James Palin are both former students at Hillside High School.
In previous years, the pair have returned to their old stomping ground to undertake their teacher training.
The rest of their stories, which testify to why Hillside has deservedly been shortlisted for this award, are best described in their own words.
Georgia said:
"I have felt the benefit first hand of the long-term investment Hillside High has not only in their students when they are in school but also long after. I attended Hillside as a student, returned to train to teach and now have just completed by ECT Year 1.
"On my first day of this academic year, when I arrived in my very own teaching lab, I looked up to see two framed pictures on the wall. These are pictures of me as a student at Hillside in the lab doing a science experiment, our Principal had dug these out and had them blown up and framed for me.
"Hillside is a real community of learning and the number of ITT and other ECT colleagues who seamlessly contribute to Team Hillside really makes for a special environment. Everyone is passionate about making a difference and supporting new colleagues.
"I live and work in this community and I so proud to give back. The big sign everyone drives past ‘Excellence in the Heart of the Community’ really is true. I am excited for the future and cannot wait until I can become a mentor to keep this special tradition going at Hillside.”
James also fondly reflected on his time at Hillside, both as a pupil and an Associate Teacher (AT):
"Being a member of Hillside staff has opened my eyes to the rewards and opportunities that a career in teaching can provide. At Hillside, I was able to develop and refine my practice under expert mentorship from a variety of science teachers all of whom I had the pleasure of being taught by back in my own school years and who have continued to teach and support me in my journey to becoming a science teacher.
"Hillside really deserve recognition for their support for teacher training; they go above and beyond the normal by ensuring my wellbeing as an AT was prioritised alongside me meeting all the teacher standards consistently and effectively.
"The science department, and more generally the entire team of staff at Hillside, provided continuous professional development opportunities, high quality mentoring, and fostered a collaborative work environment in which I was able to share best practices and receive realistic yet challenging targets to improve my teaching both within the classroom and in other aspects of the training programme such as wider professional responsibilities.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside the staff team at Hillside, as well as the students, to begin what I see as being a long and successful career in teaching."
A massive Congratulations must go to Amanda Ryan and all colleagues at Hillside for the first-class culture that is so evidently positively impacting pupils and staff alike at the school.
A special mention must also go to Steff Wardale, Hillside's ECT/ITT Lead, who, in addition to her duties as Vice Principal, does outstanding work in supporting our ATs and ECTs.
This nomination is just one example that shows why Team Hillside is a hub of excellence, right in the heart of the community.
All colleagues should be immensely proud of this prestigious nomination, and we look forward to cheering Hillside on when the Educate Awards 2025 ceremony takes place on Friday 14th November.
