Fairfax Academy award winners: Fairfax Academy finished term with a double celebration after two much-loved members of staff both won prestigious teaching honours on a ‘magical’ night at the Midlands Education Awards.
The school’s Deputy Head of Academy Rachel Boyce who won a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Assistant Principal for Inclusion and Participation Helen Williams, was recognised for Outstanding Support for Students Award, after being nominated by their peers in May.
Known across the school for always going the extra mile for students and providing wellbeing support within and outside the classroom, Rachel was nominated after being part of the Fairfax team for 22 years.
Rachel said: “I was in total surprise – I was in a category with really worthy nominees, and was excited and delighted just to be shortlisted. Winning the Lifetime Achievement Award is so humbling.
Helen, who has been at Fairfax for 25 years, specialises in inclusion, student wellbeing and personal development. A friendly face in every school corridor, she is beloved by the Fairfax community for her empathetic and individual-focused support for students.
She said: “I was in complete disbelief when they announced my name – I didn’t believe I was going to win.
“When Rachel won, I teared up because I was so proud of her. For both of us to win on the same night was magical.”
Fairfax Academy award winners honoured by recognition
The Midlands Education Awards 2025, held on Friday, July 11th at Millennium Point in Birmingham, celebrated excellence and dedication within the education sector. The awards recognised individuals, teams, and organisations for their contributions to education across the region.
Rachel said: “I feel honoured to be recognised for something I’ve done day in day out for more than 30 years, as have many of my colleagues.
“I have always just wanted to do the best job possible for the students, staff, families and community.”
“It highlights the culture of praise and recognition which I believe is a big part of Fairfax.”
Both Helen and Rachel attribute much of their success to the supportive and nurturing atmosphere at Fairfax and the wider Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust (FMAT).
Helen said: “There are so many staff behind what we do. It’s not just me, it’s the whole team surrounding me, and the school as a whole. I’ve been blown away by all the support and lovely comments.”
Rachel said: “I have been blessed to work with so many different people on my journey in education and I am grateful to all of them who have supported me and inspired me.”
Principal Sean Castle said: “Rachel and Helen are part of the fabric of Fairfax, and personally embody all of the things that we try to instil in the students here – they are caring, hard-working, dedicated and supportive of all around them.
“It was no surprise that they were nominated for these awards by their colleagues and peers, and everyone is delighted that they have been recognised by the industry. We are very proud of them.”