We are all Winners at the Education Today Awards 2024
And We Couldn't Have Done it Without Your Support!
It’s Amazing What You’ve Helped Us Achieve!
What a great time we had at the Education Today Awards 2024, held at The Grand Hall at The Grand Connaught Rooms, De Vere Hotel. Our team was nominated in four categories, and we were thrilled to be part of such a prestigious event. Among the highlights was the External Estate Supplier of the Year Award, where Community Playthings, represented by our friend Mercy, received a Highly Commended honour. Plus, Widgit’s win and maybe our own little success to.
It felt so special to be there as we were nominated four times by our incredible SENCO Community, a reflection of the trust and recognition from those we aim to support. Reflecting on the first Education Today Awards in 2022, where we won the SEN Resources Category with your support, this year’s nominations included not only this category but also the Corporate Responsibility Award. The night was filled with laughter, celebrations, and reunions, making it a truly memorable experience.
The Education Today Event and Our Table
The event was beautifully organised and even featured sponsorship from Hamish and Milo, who added a festive touch with Christmas crackers. We pulled them all at once, arms crossed in a perfect display of team spirit. Our table was a dynamic mix of friends and collaborators, including the Widgit team, our own SENsible SENCO group (with our newest member Krishna), and Mercy from Community Playthings. It was a joy to meet everyone face-to-face, including the ladies from Learn to Thrive, who provide fantastic free resources for Down Syndrome.
Our team coordinated with the event’s black and gold colour scheme. I donned a gold tie with black trousers and a shirt, eschewing a white shirt due to its less-than-fond associations with my school days. Abigail looked stunning, wearing a dress she hadn’t worn since renewing vows in St. Lucia a decade ago, showcasing her amazing journey of losing nearly four stone this year. Krishna completed the look in an elegant full-length black dress with a gold shimmer. We felt proud, cohesive, and ready to celebrate the journey of SENsible SENCO together.
Abigail Hawkins, Jamie Bignall (SENCO) and Sue White (Widgit)
The Widgit team collecting their award
Awards and Wins
The evening kicked off energetically with Shaun Williamson, also known as Barry from EastEnders, performing and engaging the audience. His humor and warmth made for a lively opening, setting a perfect tone for the night.
The first award category we were invested in was the Best SEN Resources. The nominations included:
- Academy21
- Learn and Thrive
- Real Training
- Seesaw Learning
- SENDCO Solutions
Though we didn’t win this year, it felt like poetic justice that Widgit took the prize, given we had edged them out in 2022. They were gracious winners, and the category reaffirmed the level of competition and camaraderie within the room.
Moving on to External Estate Supplier of the Year, Community Playthings was highly commended, a moment of shared laughter as Mercy nearly made her way to the stage before realising they placed second. The category’s top honors went to Casserly Property Management, well-deserved for their contributions.
A special shoutout goes to Jamie Bignell, a member of our SENCO Community, who was crowned Best SENCO of the Year. Her achievement was celebrated not just at the venue but also in our online forum, where over 7,000 members viewed and applauded her success. It was a heartwarming reminder of the amazing work SENCOs do daily, often without the recognition they deserve.
The Big Moment
The final award category we were eligible for was Best New Startup, our last chance to win before crossing the four-year milestone as a company. With bated breath, we listened as the nominations were read, and when our name was announced as the winner, it felt surreal. Abigail took to the stage to collect the award on behalf of the team, beaming with pride. This win symbolises how far we’ve come since 2021 and fuels our motivation to continue supporting SENCOs with everything we do.
Reflections and Festivities
The awards ceremony transitioned into a lively evening of music and dance. Shaun Williamson serenaded the audience with Something Inside So Strong and festive tunes, sparking a chain reaction of dancing at our table. Abigail, Sue from Widgit, Mercy, Krishna, and others joined in, creating a jubilant atmosphere. The night ended with photos, 360 videos, and plenty of smiles, with the new award displayed proudly (safely horizontal, after learning from Widgit’s experience with table-jogging!).
Thank you to every member of our SENCO Community who voted for us. Your support not only allowed us to represent your hard work but also gave us a moment to pause, celebrate, and rejuvenate. We are excited to see what 2025 brings and look forward to meeting many of you at SENsible24 in February.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Watch Our Video of the Event!
