Outstanding staff members from four of London South East Academies Trust’s schools have been honoured in the National Teaching Awards 2024
The annual, national awards celebrate individuals and schools who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to their pupils and communities over the past year.
The awards cover 16 categories, including Primary and Secondary School of the Year, Early Years Team of the Year, Excellence in Special Education, Teacher of the Year in a Primary/Secondary School, Teaching Assistant of the Year, Unsung Hero and Digital Innovator.
Thousands of entries were submitted, with London South East Academies Trust securing four accolades, including one bronze award and three certificates of excellence:
Teacher of the Year in a Primary School – BRONZE AWARD – Claire McGeehan, Warren Road Primary School
Claire is an outstanding Year 6 leader, who ensures that all children are encouraged and never feel as if they can't achieve. She has many years’ worth of evidence of accelerated progress for all pupils in all her classes.
Claire’s pupils are always enthusiastic about their learning and want to do their best – which is a testament to her expertise, passion and enthusiasm. Claire also balances her role with being a mum of two young boys, one of whom has Cerebral Palsy.
Claire is an outstanding practitioner, who thoroughly deserves recognition for her dedication and commitment to both the teaching profession and her own pupils.
Certificates of Excellence
Excellence in Special Education – Maria Weclawik – Heron Academy, Lambeth
Maria leads the post-16 provision at Heron Academy, a special school for 11–19-year-olds with a range of needs including PMLD, SLD and ASD. She has been recognised as an extraordinarily talented teacher, with infectious enthusiasm and is an exceptional role model to other staff members.
Maria is dedicated to her pupils, her colleagues and the whole school community, with high expectations and aspirations for all. She fosters enthusiasm and gets the best out of everyone, ensuring positive outcomes for all her pupils.
Primary School of the Year – Making a Difference – Bramley Oak Academy, Guildford
Bramley Oak Academy has undergone a remarkable transformation – truly making a positive difference to pupils, their families and the wider community.
The special school is for 5–11-year-old boys with SEMH needs – and over 70% are eligible for Pupil Premium. It joined London South East Academies Trust via an Academy Order in October 2020, following an inadequate Ofsted report. Rapid improvement work was undertaken and in October 2023, it received a Good rating with fantastic pupil achievement.
This incredible turnaround is a result of the school’s dedicated leadership and staff teams’ relentless focus on teaching and learning; alongside recognition of underlying pupil needs and a creative approach to making the curriculum fully accessible.
Unsung Hero – Joanne O’Donohue – Endeavour Academy, Bexley
Endeavour Academy provides education for 11–16-year-olds with social, emotional and mental health needs, and Joanne plays a key role, supporting staff and pupils. As Operational Behaviour Manager here, Joanne has been described ‘the heart and soul of our school’.
Joanne has been instrumental in developing the school’s new behaviour plans and policies. She is absolutely fair, sets boundaries and always puts a young person’s welfare at the centre of every situation or decision.
Joanne has an incredibly positive impact on the young people she works with by forming exceptional relationships with staff, pupils and parents.
Celebrating this success from across the Trust’s schools, Dr Sam Parrett CBE, CEO of London South East Academies Trust said:
"We are incredibly proud of our fantastic staff and our schools for achieving such well-deserved, national recognition. These awards reflect the dedication and hard work of staff, and the positive impact our schools have on the lives of pupils and their wider communities every single day.
“As a Trust, we are committed to providing high-quality education to children and young people across the region – which is only possible with the expertise and talent of our staff teams. Celebrating this success is very important to us and we are delighted for our award winners.”
For more information about the Pearson National Teaching Awards, visit: click here