'Super-head' at south Essex academy trust wins prestigious national school award

A SOUTH Essex academy trust which has been credited with helping schools excel is celebrating after eight of their team – including a headteacher – bagged national awards.

Desi McKeown, headteacher at The Deanes, in Thundersley, won the bronze award after being nominated for the prestigious Headteacher of the Year title at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Earlier this year he was described as a “super-head” after being parachuted into Corenlius Vermuyden School, on Canvey, to help it turn a corner after it was placed in special measures by Ofsted.

The South East Essex Academy Trust runs eight schools across south Essex, including the “outstanding” rated Westcliff High School for Girls, featured heavily at the awards.

Andrew Cooper, CEO of the trust, said: “The Pearson National Teaching Awards celebrate outstanding individuals who inspire and influence the lives of children and young people.

“Being nominated is a testament to staff who work tirelessly to make our schools the best place to learn for our pupils and students.

“These nominations are not just personal achievements but a reflection of the collective spirit of SEEAT, where every person is valued.”

In the last three years, the trust has doubled in size, with the Deanes School, Westborough Academy, in Westcliff, and Hadleigh Junior School joining in September 2021.

Other staff members who received accolades include Hayley Stapleton, a teacher at Hadleigh Junior School who was highly commended as the Digital Innovator of the Year.

Kay Hammond from the Westborough School, was awarded a certificate of excellence for her 30-year service, and Nico Dubouchet, an instructor and sports coach at Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery, received a certificate of excellence for the Unsung Hero award.

Jade Blackburn, trust director of people, said: “At SEEAT, we are making a deliberate effort to buck the national trend when it comes to the recruitment and retention of staff by making our schools the best places to work and making sure that our commitment to being “first for staff” is more than just a tagline.

“It is a guiding principle that shapes our policies, our culture, and our school communities.”

Other members of the trust honoured included:

• Victoria Parkinson, SEND co-ordinator at Hadleigh Junior School – certificate of excellence School Teacher of the Year.

• Debbie Hayes, teaching assistant at Rochford Primary School – certificate of excellence in the Teaching Assistant of the Year category.

• Steve Bish, partnerships manager at The Deanes Sports Centre– certificate of excellence for the Unsung Hero award.

• Tom Morgan, religious studies teacher at Westcliff High School for Girls – certificate of excellence for Secondary Teacher of the Year.

• Melanie Hill, teacher at Rochford Primary School – nominated for Primary Teacher of the Year.