Chair of governors scoops top award

The chair of governors at two Glossop primary schools was among the winners at the first ever St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust virtual awards night.

Reg Tabb (pictured) scooped the Governance Award for his tireless service to All Saints and St Margaret’s, where he has been a governor since 2013 and chair of governors for the past five years.

Both schools are part of the St Ralph Sherwin Trust, a family of 25 schools, with the majority based in Derby, Derbyshire and East Staffordshire.

More than 250 nominations for the Trust awards were received from staff for their colleagues and there were 33 finalists, including 11 winners.

Reg, of Glossop, was told that he had won the honour during a surprise online meeting with Trust Chief Executive Sean McClafferty.

Reg said: “I am so fortunate to work with so many amazing people, all of the staff in our great schools, all my fellow governors both in our schools and across the wider St Ralph Sherwin CMAT, and of course all the other staff and volunteers in the Trust too. 

“They are all incredible, dedicated, wonderful people who all go the extra mile, and then some, for our brilliant kids. I’m genuinely humbled by it all.”

Grainne Beaumont, headteacher at All Saints and St Margaret’s, congratulated Reg on his award.

She said: “Reg is the chair of governors for the Federation of All Saints and St Margaret’s. 

“He works tirelessly for both schools, giving up his own time. 

“He has a child at one of the schools and his twin girls have just left to go to St Philip Howard. 

“This means that Reg observes the schools as both a parent and a governor.

“He was nominated because of the enthusiasm and efforts he puts in as a governor. 

“All staff know Reg and are aware of the work he does. Reg ensures that everybody knows about our two schools in the local area.

“The awards evening was a lovely event and all staff enjoyed watching it. I was so pleased to see Reg had been short-listed and overjoyed when he was announced the winner of the Governance Award.

“We talk about children being great ambassadors for the school and Reg Tabb is definitely our ambassador.”

Gill McGrath, vice-chair of governors at All Saints and St Margaret’s, was highly commended in the Governance Award category.

Aimee Bamford, from All Saints and St Margaret’s, was a finalist in the New Teacher category along with Millie Elliot from St Philip Howard.

Trish Barber, from St Philip Howard, was a finalist in the Secondary Teacher of the Year category and Christine Hulley, also from St Philip Howard, was a finalist in the Outstanding Contribution to Catholic Life category.

The awards were held virtually after a planned event at Pride Park had to be cancelled because of Covid restrictions.

Trust CEO Sean McClafferty hosted the event along with speaker David Wells and Trust chair Jacqueline Rodden.

Mr McClafferty congratulated all of the staff involved.

He said: “This is an evening when we came together virtually and celebrated and recognised the tremendous work carried out by all our colleagues who work across the Trust.

“We had over 250 nominations - nominations for site managers, TAs, cleaners, catering staff, technicians, admin staff, teachers, headteachers governors, Trust central team staff - in fact probably for every role that is carried out within the Trust.

“Eleven of those colleagues were nominated to receive these awards.

“The task of selecting the 11 from 250 was carried out by our Trust Board and me  - it was a really tough task simply because we have so many wonderful people working within the Trust - it was both humbling and a privilege to read through the nominations. Every one of the 250 deserves an award.”

The event sponsor was Teaching Personnel and the Trust’s two charities, Rainbows Hospice in Loughborough and Bluebell Wood children’s hospice in Sheffield, were supported throughout the evening.