The Nominations have been received for the Medway School Workforce Awards which will be presented next month (Last year's winners are pictured above). Until then, there is a chance for everyone to vote for the People’s Choice award. Six deserving candidates have been put forward for this title

You can vote for them by sending your votes by post to Stacy Pannett, marketing department, Medway House, Ginsbury Close, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, Strood, ME2 4DU. Please mark your envelope People’s Choice. Or you can email the name of your choice to marketing@thekmgroup.co.uk - please put People’s Choice in the subject field. Voting closes on Friday, July 3.

Here are the details of the nominees with their full citations:

Pauline Warton, receptionist, Hundred of Hoo School

Pauline is absolutely fantastic at her job and we would be lost without her. She consistently works to an exceptional standard being a professional and friendly first point of call for the school both in person and on the telephone. Parents and visitors often comment to me how impressed they are by her and how helpful she is. Pauline is also both discrete and discerning in perfect measure.
Pauline often goes over and beyond the requirements of the job and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the school, staff and students by assisting parents with their queries and being a fantastic listener in times of need. She also stays behind after her shift to ensure that a problem is sorted or a child is able to get home. Many problems are resolved without other staff having to be involved. Since joining us in 2005 Pauline has completely transformed our Reception service, although she will insist she is only doing her job! Pauline has that rare skill to make people feel at ease and is something we all need to aspire to.
Also…Parents often ask for Pauline by name and she treats students like her own; she never panics and always knows what to do in every situation; she is a brilliant 'face to the public’ for our school; she has a very caring nature and nothing is too much bother; her professionalism is greatly missed on the rare occasions that she is ill and reception doesn’t quite seem the well oiled machine when she is not there.

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Emma McGregor Davies, home school support worker, Bradfields School, Chatham

Emma was appointed two years ago to the part time role of Home School Support Worker and as a school now we are unsure how we ever coped without her! She has been instrumental in developing the very high quality pastoral support that the school offers to students and their families. The engagement of families who are in very challenging circumstances in a positive, calm and compassionate way is Emma’s key strength. She will support them to engage with the relevant services and help to build their trust in professionals.
Emma will advocate for students and family members both with the school and with other agencies. She never gives up and has been involved in re homing animals, supporting social services, attending meetings, running groups to develop student self esteem and being a role model for emotional literacy in school. She has accessed thousands of pounds worth of benefits, grants and facilities to support students.
With Emma in the school pastoral team we have an outstanding team player who works exceptionally well with all the school stakeholders. We are privileged to have an exceptional person like Emma on our staff.

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Laura Scott, class teacher, Delce Junior, Rochester

Directly from completion of her teaching degree in Ireland, Laura arrived at Delce Junior during a period of leadership change. Her first year as a qualified teacher in year five gave her a challenging mix of 32 children – one of which, in particular, has given her a mountain of obstacles to tackle.
Although relatively young and inexperienced, and as a shy and unassuming individual, Laura has more than risen to the task. A child with complicated emotional and educational needs has shown Laura to be a calm and committed teacher and an example to others as to how we can all continually learn.
She shows enthusiasm, compassion and genuine courage – having been tested on all fronts and has a steadfastness and unwavering consistency in her application of discipline. Her kindness and respect for her class is commendable. It is obvious to those who work closely with her that, without Laura, not only would this particularly challenging child but the whole class would have found this experience far more difficult. In fact a greater maturity and tolerance for those individuals with challenging behaviour has been taught and nurtured across the whole school due to Laura’s excellent approach.
Without a doubt, a worthy and deserving nominee!
AND… However hard she is challenged, she always maintains a firm and calm approach and is always consistent and fair. Laura is kind and friendly to the children and you always feel every individual child is important to her. The end of the day is usually finished with show and tell or a game and the class always leave school on a happy note. It is clear to see that Laura thoroughly enjoys her teaching role and her class are very fond of her.

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Jill Sparkes, special support assistant, Twydall Junior, Gillingham

Jill Sparkes is a special support assistant who deals with the primary care and learning needs of children with a physical disability in a mainstream school. She has worked at Twydall Junior School for over thirty years.
Jill is always enthusiastic, professional and dedicated to the children in her care. She sets high standards and encourages all children to achieve the very best in all areas of school life. She is well respected by parents and works tirelessly to ensure that the needs of the children in her care are happy, safe and able to enjoy all aspects of school life.
Jill has a wonderful sense of humour and keeps the staff in fits with her stories and antidotes. She is also a brilliant cook who will always rustle up a buffet for fifty at the 'drop of a hat’.
Jill is a highly respected by all the staff, parents, governors and pupils in the school. She is also a supportive and hard working team member.
Jill can be relied upon to be loyal, understanding and is always willing to offer a helping hand to anyone.
She is a 'real gem!’

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Joan Roberts, inclusion manager, Chatham South

Joan Roberts came to Chatham South after working for many years in the Careers Service. Joan was employed originally to look after a group of disaffected young people who were in danger of being permanently excluded. Since then Joan has set up and run our Learning Support Centre. Ofsted has commented on more than one occasion on the impact the LSU has within the school and of the support it offers. The centre has worked with large numbers of students for varying amounts of time, ranging from a few days, because a student needed respite due to family bereavement, to years due to a students emotional or behaviour difficulties. There are many students in Medway who would have left school without qualifications if it wasn’t for Joan’s immense skill, help and guidance. In the last few years the school has not permanently excluded students and our percentage of fixed term exclusions has gone down. Joan, because of her work in the centre and by helping find personalised curriculum for students has made a huge contribution to this success.
Joan is highly respected by the students, their families and staff, many of whom come back to visit her at the school.

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Tracey Thomas, teaching assistant, Glencoe Junior, Chatham

Mrs Thomas is a wonderful caring person who works over and above her regular hours all the time, every day she comes in early and doesn’t leave until all the jobs are done for the day.
She supports children in after school clubs, lunchtime club, at discos, fundraising events and helping to escort children to events such as football matches often without reward. She takes home the PE kit and washes it, without being asked, she brings in spare clothes for children, makes sure less fortunate children always have the same opportunities as others and if this means giving from her own pocket she does. She supports less able children with a smile and the gift of patience and perseverance, she never lets them give in until they have reached their goal.
She is always a shoulder to cry on for children, parents and teachers. She is always there when you need her, with a no problem attitude. She is highly respected amongst her peers and the children in the school, who will do anything for her and we all think she should be recognised for her outstanding contribution to children.