As The Director of Secondary Education I had the pleasure of working directly with Cindy and Kelly due to the important attendance and safeguarding role they play within the academy and the high profile they have made for themselves as a result of there hard work. I have witnessed the improved attendance at the academy which at 8.28% is genuinely transformative, the impact this will have on the lives of the children and the social fabric of Bradford can not be understated. I am proud to say Hanson achieved its greatest ever results this year 13% more children now receive a grade 5 in both English and maths. Attendance is a critical element of this and these staff’s interpersonal skills, hard work and commitment to the community they grew up in all contributed to the significant improvements identified above. Kelly and Cindy are humble and would never shout about the achievements they have demonstrated and I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognise and give credit where it is due.

After being contacted by the press Cindy stated:

I’m speechless. You don’t think you’re going to receive something so significant for doing your job to help children and families. I’m still in shock. I’m just a girl from a council estate in Allerton. I’ve not had the easiest of times. I’ve had to fight for everything. The school has had such a significant turnaround with the leadership of the Delta Trust and Principal Sam Sheedy. To be credited in any part of that is amazing. Kelly and I have worked as hard as everyone else. The staff have all been so supportive. The school is just so different now. You walk in and it’s such a calm school.

And Kelly followed up with:

I’m very overwhelmed. It’s an absolute honour and was so unexpected. Not in my wildest did I think I’d be given an award. It means so much because I went to Hanson as a child and I’ve been working at the school ever since I finished at Liverpool John Moores University 13 years ago. The school which has always inspired me has had such a remarkable transformation. It’s been all heart, long hours and many tears, but it’s been so nice to give back to the local community. Working with Delta (Trust) and has been a privilege. I can’t wait to celebrate with my colleagues. It brings me so much emotion. It’s starting to hit home now.

We are incredibly proud and humbled to work with all our hard working and committed colleagues across the trust and it is always a pleasure to see hard work recognised in any way.