4000 people attend Flying High Trust school awards at Motorpoint Arena

Children perform at awards to recognise outstanding contributions to school life

Thirty schools from around Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire attended the Flying High Trust Awards at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham.

Children from attending schools joined together to perform musical pieces for the audience and to celebrate the achievements of staff and pupils over the previous year.

Chris Wheatley OBE is CEO of The Flying High Partnership and he said, “It is fantastic to bring all of the schools together into this magnificent space to look back with pride on the achievements we have seen over the previous year. Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, which created a barrier to learning for children across the country, our results suggest that in fact we have made consistent improving gains since 2019.  This is an incredible achievement by our schools, their staff and most importantly, the children. This event is a celebration of the resilience of our schools, and the determination of staff and pupils to create the best schools in the universe!”

The event saw various awards given, many reflecting the Trust values of Aspiration, Confidence, Creativity, Enjoyment, Perseverance, Pride and Responsibility.

The award for sports was presented by special guests Tom Norton of Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Paralympian, world record holder and multiple gold medallist, Richard Whitehead MBE who said, “It was an inspirational evening, and great to see the impact that the Flying High Trust has on the children. It is also a great platform for the parents to be able to see the work that the Trust is doing, -shining a light on the leaders of tomorrow.”

Richard first worked with the Flying High Trust following his 2012 gold medal win and visited its founding school, Cotgrave Candleby Lane School, to inspire children with his story.

He now works through The Richard Whitehead Foundation to continue to inspire and encourage young people.  “Since my first visit to Cotgrave Candleby Lane, and over the last 10 years, I have been able to continue my work supporting young people and their families to educate themselves about equality and diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all. It was great to see the children from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire come together and support each other at the awards event, -all striving to be the best they can be and showing the spirit it takes to succeed.”

Edwalton Primary School year 5 pupil, Laura, presented the Pride award and read out her own poem on stage in front of the huge audience. She said, “My poem was about one of the Trust values, pride. I worked on it at home and discussed what pride was and how we show pride in what we do. I also thought about what pride meant to me. Then, with help from mum, I started to write and read it out loud. I then made changes to it until it sounded right.

“Luckily, we got the chance to rehearse on the big stage beforehand which helped with my nerves. However, before I went on, I did feel a bit nervous, with butterflies in my tummy. When I was on the stage the nerves seemed to disappear with the support from my friends and family encouraging me, as well as Mr Varnam who was also on stage. When I came off the stage, I felt really proud of myself for getting through it without any mistakes!”

Helping to make the event happen were business sponsors from around the county who presented individual value awards including platinum sponsor Tramlink, gold sponsor LTF Recruitment and award sponsors Breedon Group, Browne Jacobson, Mardel, Nottinghamshire County Council, Connex Education/ The Classroom Partners, TTS/Consortium, Trident Construction, ASL Group and Schools Advisory Service (SAS).

Event organiser Abi Moody said the evening was a great success. “We want to thank everyone who supported the children and staff of 30 Flying High schools to come together and create a glittering ceremony, recognising the efforts of staff and children over two counties. Our sponsors have supported us to make this such a special day for everyone who attended.”

The Flying High Trust awards were attended by schools: Alderman Pounder Infant & Nursery School (Nottingham), Beeston Fields Primary and Nursery School, Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy, Brooklands Primary School (Long Eaton), Cotgrave Candleby Lane (Cotgrave), Edwalton Primary School, Ernehale Flying High Academies-Ernehale Junior School and Ernehale Infant School (Arnold),  The Flying High Academy (Ladybrook Mansfield), Forest Glade Primary and Nursery School (Sutton), Greenwood Primary & Nursery School (Kirkby in Ashfield), Greythorn Primary School (West Bridgford, ), Haddon Primary School (Carlton), Hawthorne Primary & Nursery School (Bestwood Village), Hillside Primary and Nursery School (Hucknall), Hollingwood Primary School (Chesterfield), Horsendale Primary School (Nuthall), Hucknall Flying High Academy, Killisick Junior School (Arnold), Leamington Primary & Nursery Academy (Sutton in Ashfield), Mapplewells Primary & Nursery School (Sutton in Ashfield), Peafield Lane Academy (Mansfield Woodhouse), Pinxton Village Academies: John King Infant Academy and  Longwood Infant Academy and Kirkstead Junior Academy, Poolsbrook Primary Academy, Porchester Junior School (Carlton), Stanstead Nursery and Primary School (Rise Park, Nottingham), and The Green Infant School (South Normanton, Alfreton), Walton Peak Flying High Academy (Chesterfield).