Recognising inspirational school leaders whose role has led to significant and positive improvements in secondary school education by inspiring and facilitating the wider school team.
2026 Recipient
James Parkinson - Headteacher, De Lacy Primary School, West Yorkshire
James Parkinson is a nationally recognised primary school leader and the Executive Headteacher of De Lacy Primary School in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. James has been celebrated across the UK for transforming a school once facing significant challenges into one that now delivers high-quality education and strong outcomes for pupils. Going beyond academic results, the recipient has implemented creative initiatives to broaden pupils’ horizons and nurture confidence, resilience and curiosity.
When James took the helm at De Lacy, the school was performing in the lowest 10 per cent nationally for Key Stage 2 outcomes and had previously been judged Requires Improvement. Under his visionary guidance, the school’s outcomes surged to sit in the top 13 per cent of providers nationally, and it secured an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted across all areas. His leadership philosophy, encapsulated in the school’s motto “Widening Horizons”, emphasises ambition, inclusion and ensuring every pupil is equipped with the skills and experiences to succeed.
James’s approach goes beyond academic results; he has implemented creative initiatives such as Future Fridays and a programme of enriching life experiences to broaden pupils’ horizons and nurture confidence, resilience and curiosity. His work has won admiration from families, staff and the wider community, and his leadership journey continues to serve as a powerful example of how committed, compassionate leadership can transform a school.
Highly Commended
Remi Atoyebi MBE
Headteacher, Osmani Primary School
Remi Atoyebi MBE is a highly respected primary school leader in the United Kingdom, known for her transformative leadership at Osmani Primary School in Tower Hamlets, East London. She has served as headteacher there since 2006, and her dedication to inclusive education, pupil wellbeing and community engagement has been recognised on a national stage. In the 2026 New Year Honours List, she was awarded an MBE for services to education, one of only a handful of serving headteachers to receive this distinction. This honour reflects her long-standing commitment to improving life chances for children in one of London’s most diverse and challenging urban communities.
Under her leadership, Osmani Primary has become a hub of innovation and support, with a strong focus not just on academic attainment but on widening opportunities for families and building community resilience. Many pupils at the school are from backgrounds where English is an additional language and a significant proportion are eligible for free school meals, yet the school’s ethos under Atoyebi’s guidance emphasises high expectations and inclusive practice.
Beyond her work at Osmani, Atoyebi is active nationally as a leadership coach and mentor, supporting other school leaders and contributing to sector discussions about equitable and effective education. She has been involved in mentoring programmes and professional development initiatives that aim to broaden access to leadership roles for educators from under-represented backgrounds. Her MBE recognises not only her impact on her own school community but her wider influence in the field of primary education across the UK.
Emily Gyimah
Headteacher, Haberdashers’ Hatcham Primary, London
Emily Gyimah is a highly respected leader in English primary education, serving as Executive Headteacher of Haberdashers’ Hatcham Primary in London. She has gained national recognition for her outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence in schooling. In 2024 she was awarded the Silver Award for Head Teacher of the Year in a Primary School at the Pearson National Teaching Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in UK education. This accolade celebrates her dedication to nurturing a positive, inclusive and high-achieving learning environment for all pupils.
Under her leadership, Hatcham Primary has developed a strong inclusive ethos and an ambitious curriculum that supports academic progress and personal growth. The school has been recognised for excellent outcomes in reading and mathematics, including placement among the top 1 per cent nationally for progress, reflecting the impact of Gyimah’s vision and leadership on pupil achievement.
Emily’s approach emphasises inclusivity and empowering pupils and staff alike. She led initiatives that secured the Inclusion Quality Mark for the school, highlighting her commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring every child is valued. Her work extends beyond her own school, providing support and mentorship within the Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South and contributing to leadership development programmes nationally. Her accomplishments reflect a sustained effort to raise standards, build community, and foster environments where pupils can thrive academically and socially.
2025 Recipient: Dawn Ferdinand - Willow School / Broadwaters Children's Centre, London
Under her leadership as Co-Headteacher of The Willow Primary School and Broadwaters Children's Centre, both institutions have achieved successive 'Outstanding' Ofsted ratings, most recently in 2022 and 2023. In December 2024, Dawn was recognised with the Gold Award at the Pearson National Teaching Awards, evidence of her exceptional dedication and transformative impact on students' lives. Beyond her roles at The Willow and Broadwaters, she mentors aspiring leaders, supports headteachers as a school improvement partner, and advocates for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
Highly Commended
Max Wakeman - Goldsmith Primary Academy, West Midlands
Headteacher at Goldsmith Primary Academy in Walsall, Max exemplifies outstanding leadership qualities. Under his guidance, the school fosters a 'You Can Do It' ethos, inspiring nearly 480 students aged 2 to 11 to achieve both academic and personal excellence. His commitment to excellence has led to significant improvements, earning the school recognition for its progress. Max's leadership extends beyond the school; he actively engages with the community, strengthening the bond between school and home to support student success. His dedication to fostering a positive learning environment has been acknowledged in educational circles, highlighting his impact on student achievement.
Lynn Williams - St. Peter's CE Primary School, Lancashire
Under Lynn's guidance, St. Peter's has achieved numerous accolades, including the prestigious Inclusion Quality Mark and recognition as the Bolton News School of the Year in 2022. Her dedication to data management and ensuring high-quality teaching practices has not only elevated the school's performance but also inspired both staff and students to strive for excellence. In 2024, Lynn's outstanding contributions were further acknowledged when she received the Pearson National Teaching Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, underscoring her profound impact on the educational community.
Sarah Hanson - St. Barnabas C.E. Primary School, Worcester
Under Sarah's guidance, St. Barnabas emphasises individual growth, encouraging students to reach their full potential within a supportive community. She leads a dedicated team, including Assistant Headteachers Mrs. Cotton and Mrs. Spence, working collaboratively to maintain high educational standards. Her leadership has been instrumental in creating a positive atmosphere where both staff and students thrive, reflecting her dedication to holistic education and community engagement. She was recognised at the 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Kate Trethewy - Longthorpe Primary School, Cambridgeshire
Kate's exceptional leadership skills help to provide an inclusive and supportive educational environment at Longthorpe. Under her guidance, the school has maintained a 'Good' rating from Ofsted, with inspectors noting that pupils "celebrate diversity and understand each other’s differences," preparing them to be good citizens. Her collaborative approach extends beyond the school, as Longthorpe is a founding member of the Peterborough Keys Academies Trust, reflecting her commitment to community engagement and shared educational excellence.
2024: Presented to Amanda Wilson
Headteacher at St Alfege with St Peter’s CofE Primary School, Amanda’s inspirational journey encompasses over 25 years’ in education and leadership. She has a track record for supporting teachers in securing leadership roles, and after being appointed to her first heads position in 2019, she has since gone on to publish a book aimed at encouraging the next generation of Black school leaders.
2024 Nominees
Rizwana Mahmood-Ahmed - Carlton Junior and Infants School, West Yorkshire
Caroline Evans - Park Primary School, Leicester
2023: Presented to Nicky Donley Kirton Primary School
As executive headteacher, Nicky Donley has achieved sustained success in improving educational standards for children at Parliament Federation schools. As executive headteacher at Kirton Primary, her communication skills have enabled effective collaboration with organisations both inside and outside the school, which has become a pillar of the community. Academic success places Kirton in the top 2 per cent of schools for progress and her work to provide money management skills to pupils has been recognised through numerous awards along with the school’s initiatives to improve staff wellbeing.
2023 Nominees
Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson
Headteacher - Anderton Park Primary School, Birmingham
Born in the city, Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson has been educating in and around Birmingham since graduating in philosophy at Swansea University. She became head of Anderton Park in 2012 and since then has displayed exemplary leadership skills, particularly in 2019 when faced with protests against the school’s equalities education policy. Sarah is fully supportive of the pressures faced by teachers. As an active member of the NAHT, she has been critical of OFSTED and has spoken out regarding the difficulties of its inspection process. Despite this, one inspector’s feedback noted: “She’s meant to be a leader.”
Helen Stott
Headteacher - Allerton CE Primary, Leeds
After studying English and Inter-Arts at Leeds University, Helen’s 30 year teaching career took in a number of local schools before becoming headteacher at Allerton when it was established in 2007. Overseeing its growth from 200 pupils to nearly 700, her leadership skills and drive to promote inclusivity and diversity in a school where 50 different languages are spoken have been recognised in numerous awards. Former pupil, England footballer Micah Richards described his experiences at Allerton in a recent BBC documentary: “Supportive, understanding and free from prejudice”.