Each year, the Phoenix HEART Awards give us an important opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the Team Members who make a meaningful difference across Phoenix.
This year, we were proud to recognise four outstanding Team Members from our Education services, each honoured for the way they support Pupils and Learners to communicate, feel safe, build confidence and flourish.
From creating sensory-rich learning environments to nurturing emotional safety, developing communication skills and supporting inclusion, their work reflects the values at the heart of Phoenix: Honesty, Empathy, Aspiration, Respect and Teamwork.
Supporting communication in everyday life
The Communication Development Award was presented to Marina, Teacher at Ysgol Tŷ Monmouth, in recognition of her thoughtful and creative approach to helping Pupils develop functional communication skills.
Marina uses a wide range of strategies, including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), visual supports and Social Thinking sessions, to help communication feel accessible, meaningful and part of everyday life.
Her approach goes far beyond the classroom. Through activities such as library duties, breakfast club tasks and vehicle checks, Marina creates real opportunities for Pupils to practise communication with Team Members and peers in practical, everyday situations.
Her work shows the powerful impact of consistent, individualised communication support, helping Pupils build confidence, independence and stronger connections with those around them.
Creating sensory-rich spaces where Learners can thrive
The Sensory Support Award was presented to Abbie, Teacher at Oakwood Specialist College in Torpoint, for her thoughtful and individualised support for Learners with sensory needs.
Abbie creates learning environments that are full of curiosity, creativity and opportunity. From music and movement to sensory food-tasting sessions and carefully adapted classroom activities, she helps Learners engage in ways that feel meaningful to them.
Her sensory strategies have had such a positive impact that they have been adopted more widely across the College. One example included sourcing a spinning chair to support a Learner’s vestibular needs, enabling them to access sensory input in a way that worked for them.
Through patience, creativity and co-regulation, Abbie supports Learners to feel safe, engage with learning and take part in experiences that build confidence and connection.
Nurturing emotional safety and confidence
The Nurture Award was presented to Poppy, Teaching Assistant at Neptune School, whose calm, consistent and emotionally attuned approach makes a lasting difference to the Pupils she supports.
Poppy has a remarkable ability to notice what each Pupil needs in the moment. Whether she is slowing down her language, offering space, using familiar routines or supporting emotional regulation, her approach helps Pupils feel safe, understood and ready to engage.
Her work with a new Pupil attending school for the first time is a powerful example of this. By creating a predictable and calming start to each session, Poppy helped build trust gradually and supported the Pupil to settle into school life with growing confidence.
Her nurturing influence extends beyond individual support, helping to shape a classroom environment where Pupils feel included, valued and emotionally safe.
Helping Pupils flourish through inclusion and aspiration
The Flourish Award was presented to Gillian, Teaching Assistant at Acorn School, in recognition of her commitment to inclusion, confidence and aspiration.
Gillian’s work helps Pupils believe in themselves and recognise what they can achieve. Through patience, understanding and a personalised approach, she supports Pupils to reconnect with learning, take pride in their progress and feel more confident in the classroom.
One particularly inspiring example involved a Pupil who had found it difficult to engage with school for an extended period. With Gillian’s steady support, they were able to reconnect with education, achieve strong outcomes and begin to take pride in their work.
Gillian also supports her colleagues through initiatives such as Maths Mondays, helping Team Members build confidence and work towards their own functional skills qualifications.
Her contribution reflects the importance of creating environments where both Pupils and Team Members can grow, learn and flourish together.
Celebrating the difference our Team Members make
Marina, Abbie, Poppy and Gillian each show what meaningful, values-led practice looks like in action.
Their work reminds us that progress is built through relationships, consistency, creativity and care. Whether supporting communication, emotional safety, sensory needs or confidence, each of them helps create environments where Pupils and Learners can feel understood, supported and able to thrive.
At Phoenix, we are proud to celebrate Team Members whose everyday practice makes such a lasting difference.
Congratulations again to all four winners, and thank you for the care, dedication and passion you bring to our Education services.