Two schools near Watford have expressed delight at being shortlisted for awards dubbed the “Oscars of education”.
Immanuel College, a private Jewish day school in Bushey for children between four and 18, has been nominated for the best Subject Lead of the Year at the 2024 Times Educational Supplement (TES) school awards.
It joins Rickmansworth School, a secondary school and sixth form in Croxley Green, which has been entered for Inclusive School of the Year and Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year.
Michael Lewis, assistant head of Jewish education at Immanuel College, has taught there since 2016 and was selected out of subject leaders across the country for the shortlist.
Headmaster Dr Millan Sachania said: “The kind of optimistic, indefatigable, skilled and totally individualised teaching TES recognises this year in Michael Lewis is the essence of Immanuel College.
“We are so proud of him as well as the pupils’ achievements he has inspired and nurtured.”
Chair of governors Daniel Levy added: “We are thrilled that our Jewish studies team has such a wonderful subject lead who is appreciated by pupils and colleagues – and now recognised by a national organisation as the TES School Awards.”
Rickmansworth School has been shortlisted for the third year in a row and will find out if it has won at an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on June 21.
Headteacher Matt Fletcher said: “We have worked really hard, in partnership with our local NHS Mental Health Support Team, to ensure that provision for students that need support with their mental health is as strong as it possibly can be here at Rickmansworth School.
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He added that the school tries to promote mental resilience through everyday interactions and that it “genuinely appreciates” the recognition by the TES shortlisting.
The awards cover 21 categories and aims to recognise the achievements of teachers and schools across the state and private sectors and all age groups.
Editor of Tes Magazine Jon Severs congratulated the shortlisted entries and said the standard was high "despite the challenges schools face”.
“It is critical we celebrate excellence and share it widely so we can ensure that the fantastic work happening in education is properly recognised,” he added.
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