Ellacombe C of E Academy Teaching Assistant Shortlisted for National Award

Ellacombe C of E Academy in Torquay, part of the Learning Academy Partnership, is proud to announce that Tracy Papworth-Reynolds has been shortlisted as a finalist for Teaching Assistant of the Year in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards 2026.

This national recognition celebrates Tracy’s exceptional contribution to education and her unwavering dedication to supporting children, families and colleagues over nearly 20 years at the school. Tracy has supported multiple generations of families, building lasting relationships based on trust, care and consistency. For many, she is a familiar and reassuring presence at the heart of the school.

As Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) and Thrive Lead, Tracy works closely with pupils who may have social, emotional and mental health needs. Her core belief, that children cannot learn unless they feel safe and regulated, underpins not only her own work but the wider ethos of the school.

Tracy supports pupils to understand their emotions, develop strategies for self-regulation and rebuild confidence in themselves as learners. Her influence extends far beyond the pupils she works with directly, as she plays a central role in supporting colleagues, delivering training and coaching.

Colleagues describe her as “the anchor of the school, the calm in any storm,” while one pupil summed up her impact by saying: “She just gets it. She knows when you’re finding things difficult even if you don’t know how to explain it. Every school in the whole wide world should have a Mrs PR.”

Winners of the Pearson National Teaching Awards will be announced on National Thank a Teacher Day in June. The awards, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam, celebrate excellence in education and highlight the vital role teachers and schools play in shaping future generations.

Alison Helm, Headteacher at Ellacombe CofE Academy, said: “Tracy embodies everything this award stands for. Her compassion, expertise and relentless commitment to children have transformed lives over many years. We are incredibly proud to see her recognised at a national level.”

Tracey Cleverly, CEO of Learning Academy Partnership, said: “Tracy represents the very best of our profession. Her unwavering commitment to children has had a profound and lasting impact not only at Ellacombe but across our wider trust. The difference she makes to children’s lives, families and colleagues is extraordinary.”

Tracy Papworth-Reynolds said: “I’m truly honoured to have been shortlisted for the National Teaching Assistant of the Year Award. I’m incredibly grateful to have been put forward, and I know there are so many dedicated teaching assistants—right across the country and here at Ellacombe—who deserve this recognition just as much. Every day, we work together with one shared goal: to make a positive difference to the lives and education of the children we support. I feel proud to be part of such a committed and passionate team.”