Aimee Durning is an exemplary teaching assistant who goes beyond the call of duty, working additional hours voluntarily and at weekends. The judges noted her “highly unusual level of commitment to learning” and how she is becoming a published author, writing about best practice.

Said to be at the “vanguard” of the development of the role of classroom assistant, in partnership with leading educationalists, Ms Durning is also a contributing author to a research project called Reading for Pleasure, along with a professor from the Open University.

She uses academic literature to inform her own practice at the University of Cambridge Primary School, in Cambridge, where headteacher James Biddulph said: “It is through her selfless and extremely hardworking attitude that her ambition arises - not an ambition for herself but for all children.”
Her voluntary work includes setting up a new regional hub for the Chartered College of Teaching, through which she has led on the development of partnerships and professional networks with other teaching assistants. Her strength in building relationships has enabled her to connect with experts and bring their expertise to hub events.

She is also described as “the strongest advocate for inclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities”. Mr Biddulph added: “As one of the kindest and most compassionate people I know, Aimee’s key strength lies in the way in which she builds relationships with others. Because of this, she is involved in almost all aspects of school life.”

The judges said Ms Durning “is as committed to supporting the professional development of her colleagues as she is to supporting the learning of pupils. She is a deserving inaugural winner and an ambassador for teaching assistants everywhere.”

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