We were informed via email that we had been judged to be a finalist at the awards held on Tuesday 10th March at Thorpe Park, which we were very proud to attend.

I was delighted to be accompanied by Mrs White and Mrs Conn for what we anticipated would be a very special evening. We believed that Stepgates had been nominated within the Community Awards category and, as the category was announced towards the end of the ceremony, we waited eagerly to hear the result. However, when our school was not named among the finalists, we were understandably a little confused.

The final awards of the evening were reserved for Special Recognition, and we were absolutely overwhelmed to discover that Stepgates Community School had been chosen to receive this very special award in recognition of our work and dedication within the school community.

There have been many achievements and successes during my time as Headteacher at Stepgates, but being nominated for and receiving the Runnymede Borough Council Civic Award for Special Recognition remains one of my proudest and most humbling moments.

I would like to thank every member of staff for their tireless work, dedication and, above all, the compassion they show to our children and families. This award belongs to the whole Stepgates community.

We were truly touched and humbled to receive this recognition, and I was honoured to dedicate the award to a Year 2 child and her wonderful parents. In the face of the most profound challenges, they have shown us the true meaning of bravery, courage and dignity. They are the real heroes of this story, and their extraordinary strength continues to be an inspiration to us all.

Mrs T Ford

Headteacher