Sam Goodin
Headteacher Sam Goodin was inspired to set up a school back home after a trip to Africa.
The 39-year-old head of Kaleidoscope, a special school in Porthill, said: “It was clear when I visited Africa that resources for children were minimal. Kids came from very poor backgrounds with limited opportunities and yet what struck me most was their happiness.
“It was then I realised that this could easily be achieved in this country with the right support in place.”
In 2022 Kaleidoscope was set up as an alternative provision and formally established as an independent school in the September of the same year.
Sam said: “The school gives a voice to those who wouldn’t otherwise have them and allows children from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn and to be educated. Education matters but happy children matter more.”
She currently has a team of 25 staff who care for 30 pupils. A new building has recently been acquired which means an additional 30 pupils can enrol.
Sam’s support for children with additional needs extends beyond her own school. She still supports a former pupil outside of work to give respite to the parents and she offers advice wherever needed regardless of whether the child is registered with the school.
“If someone needs support, we’ll find a way. We will help as many families as we can,” she said.
Sam Goodin has been nominated as an Inspiration in Education in the Your Heroes Awards by Alicia Keenan, the mum of one of her pupils.
Alicia said: “Sam is an amazing headteacher. She always goes above and beyond for the school and the pupils. Sam is patient, kind and believes in her pupils’ abilities.
“She strives to ensure that all pupils reach their goals in a way that is effective and achievable for their needs.
“Without Sam and Kaleidoscope as a school we as parents would be lost without their support.”
Sam added: “It feels great to be nominated. I like what we do as a school and it’s a very positive environment. It’s great to put a spotlight on the school, to showcase what we do and all the wonderful things our staff and students achieve.”
Meg Baldwin
Captain of Port Vale’s women’s team, a high school PE teacher and a sports reporter – Meg Baldwin wears various hats and she inspires people with all of them.
The 32-year-old has been nominated as an Inspiration in Education in the Your Heroes Awards by a former pupil at Thistley Hough Academy, where she is the Head of PE.
Rori Thomas said: “I am nominating Meg Baldwin because I believe she is the biggest inspiration in education. Over my time in high school I have struggled to find comfort in school, both in lessons and exams etc. Meg has consistently shown her willingness to be there for not only me but everyone else also.
“My time in high school has come to an end but a quote I will always stick by, said by Meg, is that if it doesn’t matter in five years, don’t waste five minutes on it.
“I know for a fact it’s not just me Meg inspires. She keeps going constantly and never stops. Meg will always have time to talk and try and help you. Even if she cannot find a solution to the problem she will keep checking in to see whether it’s been resolved. We came up with a hashtag for our inspiration: #bemorelikemeg.”
As well as heading a school department, Meg is the captain of Port Vale’s women’s team, works as a sports reporter for Moorlands Radio and has been a match summariser for BBC Radio Stoke.
Meg said: “It’s amazing to be nominated by a former pupil. I don’t do this lightly, and I’m aware that the biggest problems for young people are usually right in front of them. I don’t do all of this for the recognition; I just want to be a supportive force for the people I have contact with.”
Derek Hulme
Veg growing skills learnt from his grandad kept Derek Hulme fed during times of financial hardship and now he’s passing on those same skills to children as a primary school volunteer.
The 63-year-old, who holds the Guinness World Records for the heaviest runner bean and the longest leek, is a volunteer mentor at The Sneyd Academy in Sneyd Green.
Derek has also shared his horticultural expertise through Stoke-on-Trent City Council and St Andrew’s Church in Sneyd Green.
Born and raised in Abbey Hulton and now living in Sneyd Green, Derek says money and food were scarce during his childhood.
It was his grandfather who gave him the life skills to grow his own food.
“Times were hard. We had no money. If we wanted to eat, then this was the way we had to survive.”
Now retired, Derek volunteers full time including tending an allotment at Sneyd Academy using compost and pots donated by the local community.
“The most rewarding part of volunteering is the kids’ faces when they see the finished product of what they started by planting the seed, it is just priceless.
“It’s been amazing to have the backing of some organisations that have provided me with items cost-free. This makes my job so much easier and gives me all the tools I need to deliver this mentoring in a way where I am able to inspire people.
“I’ve donated my own allotment for community use too, so it’s a case of me giving back as well. It’s amazing that the community comes together.
“I’m willing to work with anyone: the council, the university, charities, MPs. I want to stop food waste, and I want to support the people of this great city.”
Derek has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes awards by Mel Osborne.
She said: “Derek has been growing veg since he was a young lad. He’s learned how to be self-sufficient and will always give his time to anyone.”
Derek added: “I am over the moon, but I don’t need the recognition. I’d rather highlight the wider issue of food waste and becoming self-sufficient over people giving me kudos. It’s really nice to be nominated though and I hope this puts a spotlight on what I’m passionate about.”
Emerging Dreams
Husband and wife team David and Sam Davis set up a psychological and therapeutic support service inspired by their own experiences as the parents of two children with additional needs.
They work with children and adults from their base at The Brampton in Newcastle-under-Lyme after setting up Emerging Dreams Ltd just before the pandemic.
Psychologist Sam and therapist and group leader David are both Staffordshire University alumni and have guided some of the people they work with onto Staffordshire University’s Step Up to Higher Education programme.
They have been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards by Ashley Cotton, programme manager for the Step Up course.
Ashley said: “Emerging Dreams Ltd work positively in supporting individuals with psychological support in the local community with the aim to address mental and emotional concerns, including working with those who may have experienced past history of substance abuse.
“Many of their clients, and those they have supported through their services, have grown personally in confidence and self-belief which has led many of them to move positively with their lives, whether that be through work or education.
“To date, we have supported three individuals through our Step Up to Higher Education programme due to close community working relationships with Emerging Dreams Ltd and their team being Staffordshire University alumni.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with the individuals who have made such positive strides with their development, which is testament to the solid foundation of support that Emerging Dreams Ltd provide and joined up support at Staffordshire University in order to ensure a continuation of support, while providing accessible progression community routes onto undergraduate degrees for those same individuals to reach their future career ambitions.”
Three people supported by Emerging Dreams have completed the Step Up course and three others are due to join the next cohort.
David said: “Sam and I have got two kids with additional needs. We ended up paying privately for various services we needed for them because of the waiting times.
“The need for the sort of services we provide is massive. People are being put on waiting lists for three years.”
He added: “It’s nice to be recognised with a Your Heroes nomination but we’ve never done it for awards. We do it because our passion is in helping the less privileged and people that genuinely need the support.”
Claire Kerry
Claire Kerry’s own experiences after being diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia have led her to help others and in particular to educate employers to ensure the right support is offered in the workplace.
The 33-year-old was diagnosed while studying at university and received funded support through the Disabled Students Allowance.
But after Claire graduated the support stopped and she found there was no guidance on support in the workplace which she says left her feeling anxious, burnt out and overwhelmed.
She set about researching her condition and the Equality Act then launched The Neurodiversity Network to empower neurodivergent adults by providing downloadable resources, information and support.
By January 2024 The Neurodiversity Network online community had attracted more than 100 members and had become a fast-growing community for neurodivergent adults.
In March Claire exhibited The Neurodiversity Network at the Dyslexia Show – receiving positive feedback from individuals and businesses alike.
She has now started working directly with employers to educate their senior leaders and managers to support neurodivergent staff.
By providing guidance and training on topics including neuroinclusive recruitment, access to work and reasonable adjustments she has been able to support organisations to improve the productivity and wellbeing of staff.
Claire, from Crewe, is currently studying on the Peter Coates MSc Entrepreneurship course at Staffordshire University and is also working with Staffordshire University to support the careers team, lecturers and external organisations to be neuroinclusive.
She said: “I got the support that a lot of students receive while I was at university but what happens is you graduate and go out into the world of work and that support stops. You’re left to your own devices and don’t know what support you can ask for.”
Claire has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
JAGS Dance Academy and Jessica Preston
A Staffordshire dance school has been praised for boosting its pupils’ confidence and aspirations alongside their dancing skills.
Bradwell-based JAGS Dance Academy has been operating since 2015. It employs eight members of staff and works with more than 320 students.
Founder and owner Jessica Preston started JAGS when she was 21 years old. Fascinated by all forms of dance since she was three years old, she knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue dance full-time.
She said: “I’d noticed there were no street dance classes locally, so it was always something I wanted to set up. We rented out the local church with 12 students with the aim of growing. It’s safe to say that over the years we’ve done just that.”
“JAGS isn’t really about dance; it’s about bringing a community together and giving these children a sense of belonging. We are open to everybody.”
Martyn Irvine, whose two daughters both attend JAGS dance classes, has nominated Jessica and JAGS in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
He said: “The classes have changed both of my daughters’ lives. As a result of the lockdowns, my youngest daughter was inherently shy and wouldn’t muster a conversation with anyone.
“With Jess’s guidance, she is now performing on stage in front of over 400 people and competing in dance competitions all over the country.”
Jessica added: “It’s overwhelming. It’s amazing that someone thinks so highly of me. It’s very emotional and I take great pride in being put forward for something like this.”
Holden Lane Primary School
Holden Lane Primary School in Sneyd Green has been praised for the huge difference its staff make to the lives of pupils.
Mum Claire Jackson serves in the armed forces and has to leave her young family when she is away on courses and exercises. She says the support and care they receive at school takes away the stress of leaving them.
She has nominated the school and its staff in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “I currently serve in the Armed Forces and therefore sometimes I must leave the family unit for courses and exercises. I feel at ease with the support and care my children receive from the school, which allows me to leave without additional stresses. My children look forward to every day at this school and feel valued and part of something exceptional.
“Primary school is the foundational stages of education that prepare children for life and future employment. Holden Lane Primary School is the full embodiment of these principles,
however, not only do they prepare the children for the next stages of education and beyond, but they also accomplish this in a way that surpasses all expectations with an implausible sense of connection amongst the children, parents and employees alike.
“Holden Lane Primary School upholds a Corporate Social Responsibility like no other, enabling the children to prosper and develop in an inclusive, affectionate environment. The staff at Holden Lane, whilst generating this environment remain professional and dedicated to the children throughout. This was echoed from the recent Ofsted inspection.
“The school also holds the ABQM-UK Gold Award, which is the first in the country, due to the staff, student and families demonstrating that anti-bullying has had a significant impact on the community, emphasising the environment in which Holden Lane functions.
“Throughout each year group, the same psychological contract has remained, identifying the values that resonate amongst every single employee at the school. The teachers have created an environment in which the children have so many opportunities inside and out of school time, such as dance competitions, choir services to care homes and all other sporting opportunities, which are supported by more staff than required as their remarkable dedication and selflessness to the children radiates through.
“These children will not only be prepared to move onto the next stages in life, but the trusted, respected environment allows them to be happy and enjoy the journey. The staff at this school are not ‘just doing their job’ as one described, they are going above and beyond nurturing the ‘invisible measure’ of emotions, providing valuable lifelong memories that these children will look back on tenderly.
“I am inspired by their dedication and commitment to the children, which is clearly making a huge difference to their lives, giving them not just an education, but vibrant prospects.”
Headteacher Clare Thomas said: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. At our school, we believe that every child is equally special and we strive to encourage every single member of our school community to be the best they can be!
“Our children make us smile every single day and as one pupil recently informed Ofsted, ‘we are a happy school that feels like family.’ We are all incredibly proud to belong to our special school and to be nominated by one of our parents means the absolute world to us.”