On 21st June 2018 we welcomed many of the HLTAs who gained their status this year and the short listed 2018 EM HLTA of the Year nominees to our celebration event at Devonshire Place, Leicester.
An inspirational talk by our guest, Fiona Wilce, Headteacher of St Mary and St John .of E. Voluntary Aided Primary School, Rutland charted her own career story from a parent helper to teaching assistant then studying a Foundation Degree and BA top up in Learning and Teaching with the University of Northampton to headteacher – as one attendee said, ‘a long journey in a short time’.
Cathy Smith, the assistant Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, joined Fiona in presenting HLTA pin badges and commemorative teddies to the HLTAs attending. Their group photo now is featured as the header for this site.
Well done to everyone who has gained their HLTA status this year.
The celebration event also featured the East Midlands 2018 Outstanding HLTA of the Year award. A panel of experts carefully considered the HLTAs nominations this year and short listed 5, all of whom were honoured at the event:
- Kathryn Brickwood from Greens Norton C of E Primary School, Towcester, Northants
- Debbie Farmer from Mapperley C of E Primary School, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
- Kate Keeling from Hayfield Primary School, Hayfield, Derbyshire
- Gemma Lightfoot from St Andrews C of E VA Primary School, Ecton Brook, Northampton
- Andrea Percival from St Paul’s C of E Primary School, Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire
The judges felt that all the HLTAs were exceptional but awarded Debbie Farmer as the overall winner – our 2018 East Midlands HLTA of the Year.
Congratulations to Debbie and all the nominated HLTAs!!
