Gold Star for Teachers and Staff

Employees of local schools recognised at awards ceremony

Staff at schools in the local area are amongst those who have been recognised for their service to local education in an awards' ceremony

Hounslow Council recognised a total of 692 years of commitment to the borough from long-serving workers in the Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning department last week.

The 26 teachers, classroom assistants and school support staff have worked an average of almost 27 years each in Hounslow, and a total of 879 years in the public sector.

A special ceremony was held at Spring Grove House in Isleworth, where awards were presented by Cllr Robert Kinghorn, Executive Member for Education and Children at the council.

The school administration officer of Green Dragon Primary School, Ann Howe,was awarded for her long service. Anne originally started with the school on a temporary basis in 1978, but was made permanent one year later and has stayed ever since. She had not previously worked for a local authority but took the role and has been there ever since.

Jean Nolan, who works as a cleaner at Lionel Primary School, started working in the borough in 1977. She has given over 30 years of outstanding work and commitment to the school and the borough.

Kathleen Bell, Chief Science Technician, Gumley House RC Convent School, was educated at Thornhill College, Londonderry, Kathleen started at Gumley in January 1976 as an assistant laboratory technician and is now chief technician. Kathleen was a finalist in the 2002 Salter’s’ national awards for Science Technicians.

Carol Hazel, Learning Co-ordinator/Head of Psychology/Citizenship Co-ordinator, The Green School For Girls studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at The Institute of Education, London University, before beginning her career in teaching in 1969. She taught Science in inner London for over 18 years, holding posts of responsibility as Head of Science; Director of Studies and Curriculum Deputy Head Teacher respectively in three different secondary schools.

She took a career break in 1987 to become a full time mother and qualified in Accountancy. She decided to return to teaching and her career with Hounslow commenced in May 1992 at Isleworth Town Primary School and she then moved to The Green School in September 1992 to continue secondary school teaching.

Sean Heidler, Head of Technology, Gumley House Roman Catholic School graduated from St Mary’s College of Education in 1973. His first Teaching post was with Cardinal Wiseman R.C High School in Greenford. Over his career he has taught in inner London schools including Southfields High School as well as spending a period of 9 months teaching in Australia. He joined Gumley as Head of Technology in 1988, where he is a very committed member of staff.

Linda Mitchell, Head of Physics, The Green School graduated in 1969 with her Certificate in Education, specialising in Science. The first 21 years of her career were spent teaching in Inner London. She took on responsibilities as Head of Biology and Physics, deputy Head and acting Head of Science. She started teaching at the Green school in 1991, where she became the Head of Physics and Microelectronics. Recently, she has taken on additional responsibilities for Key Stage 3 Science and A-Level Psychology.

Patricia Moran, Headteacher, Lionel Road Primary School studied for her teaching qualification at St. Mary’s in Twickenham. On achieving her B.ED in 1974, she started her Teaching career with the borough in St. Michael & St. Martin’s Primary school. During her 33 years service she has taught at no fewer than 9 infant and primary schools in the borough, including Berkeley, Green Dragon, Alexandra, Fairholme, Rosary, Orchard Hounslow Heath Junior, Worple Primary, William Hogarth and Lionel Primary.

Cllr Kinghorn said, “It is a great honour to be presenting these dedicated members of staff with awards for long service. All our employees do a great job and are appreciated by all at the Council, but it is a wonderful achievement to see so many awards for such long service. Working for so many years in Hounslow is a great achievement and it just goes to show how much people enjoy working here."

July 4, 2007