Teresa Grix from St William’s Primary School in Norwich has received the Teaching Assistant or Support Staff of the Year award, sponsored by Vattenfall, at the Norfolk Education Awards 2023.

Teresa has worked at St William’s Primary School for over 27 years, initially as a class-based teaching assistant and, for the last eight years, as a pastoral support worker.  

She has high aspirations for all children, building strong relationships with them to support their academic progress and their social and emotional development.

As a class-based teaching assistant, Teresa supported children who found learning hard, working to build up their resilience and help them make progress. It was a natural progression from this for her to move out of the classroom setting and work with children and families from across the school, ensuring that those who needed the most support could get it.

Teresa retired at the end of the summer term, and the school couldn’t think of a better way to say goodbye and thank you than to nominate her for this award. 

The judging panel were pleased to recognise Teresa as she reaches retirement, following a long career at St William’s Primary School. 

They noted that she’d had a “significant impact” on the children in her school, particularly on those who struggle to attend school due to anxiety, bereavement and social challenges.  

They said that “her thoughtfulness, care and sense of humour means that she has created trusting relationships with children and their families, and she advocates for the changes necessary to ensure the children can thrive in the school”. 

The panel were particularly impressed to read that “for some children, she has been the main reason they are succeeding in our school, and their high school, today”. 

Teresa commented that it felt “very special” to have been honoured at this year’s Education Awards.

“Having worked in a primary school for 27 years, I’ve now just retired,” she said. “It just feels like the end of an era in a way, which is lovely. And actually to be recognised is quite surprising if I’m honest. Very, very surprising.”

For more information on the Norfolk Education Awards, please visit the website.

To find out more about all of this year's winners, please click here.

About the sponsor

Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone is one of the world’s largest offshore wind projects, and upon completion will provide enough power for around 1.95 million homes. 

Vattenfall has a commitment to the region to encourage, enable and enhance a local, highly skilled and diverse workforce to meet the business needs of its Norfolk Zone projects and its Supply Chain, as well as raising the aspirations of individuals. 

Vattenfall is creating pathways into the offshore wind sector via education and skills training, upskilling and re-skilling opportunities.

The finalists

Joanna Rowe - Framingham Earl High School 

Joanna has a genuine love for her job and for the children under her care. 

As a librarian at Framingham Earl High School for 20 years, she has helped a generation of young people learn to enjoy reading. 

Joanna goes above and beyond every day in her role to support some of the school’s loneliest and most vulnerable students. 

She provides a safe space for them during school hours and is a friendly, trusted and reliable face.  

Tizzy Sturdy - Easton College   

Tizzy works at Easton College as a learning support assistant. She came to the role a few years ago, having worked mainly in industry prior to this.  

Tizzy has thrown herself into the role and is passionate about all students but particularly those that she supports in the classroom. 

The commitment shown extends beyond normal working hours and the immediate working environment to ensure that students get the best support possible both academically and emotionally.