Washington Academy Teaching Assistant Receives Royal Recognition at Buckingham Palace

The event, taking place in May, will celebrate people from across the education and skills sector for the significant impact they have made on the lives of young people. John Shell, a Teaching Assistant at Washington Academy, has been invited in recognition of his exceptional work supporting students through programmes delivered in partnership with The King’s Trust.

John has played a key role in developing enrichment opportunities for students, creating experiences that build confidence, independence and essential life skills, while engaging directly with the local community. His work has included organising visits with businesses such as Santander UK, Apple and Asda, where students have explored topics including financial literacy, creativity and supply chain management.

John said, "I feel so lucky to do a job I love every day. Supporting our students and seeing them grow is at the heart of everything I do and being invited to the Garden Party is an incredible honour."

Students have also taken part in a wide range of activities designed to develop practical skills and community awareness. These have included building a bug hotel from recycled materials on the school site, community litter picks, working with local groups such as Little Onions Community Garden in Washington, creating podcasts and films and participating in mock interviews at The King's Trust Centre in Newcastle.

Through the programme, students also take part in Independent Travel Training, planning journeys using public transport and developing confidence navigating their local community. Activities link directly to key learning units including managing money, digital skills, wellbeing, community impact and sustainability.

John has also supported wider community initiatives including Washington’s Wishes Christmas Toy Appeal and organised memorable reward trips for students, including visits to local Christmas markets and the coast at South Shields.

Vicky Carter, Principal at Washington Academy, said:

“John’s invitation to the King’s Garden Party is an incredibly well-deserved recognition of the dedication he shows to our students every single day. His passion for creating meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom is exceptional. Through partnerships with organisations, community projects and hands-on experiences, John ensures our young people develop confidence, independence and real-world skills. We are immensely proud of the impact he has at Washington Academy and delighted to see his work recognised at a national level.”

Michael McCarthy, CEO of Consilium Academies, said:

“This is a fantastic honour for John and a wonderful reflection of the difference that committed staff make across our schools. John’s work embodies the values of Consilium Academies -ensuring every student has access to opportunities that broaden horizons, build skills and strengthen connections with their communities. His dedication to supporting young people and creating innovative learning experiences is inspiring, and we are thrilled to see him recognised at such a prestigious event.”

John’s invitation recognises the important role education professionals play in shaping opportunities for young people and highlights the impact of enrichment programmes that extend learning beyond the classroom.

Consilium Academies is committed to putting staff and students at the heart of everything they do, supporting initiatives that empower our educators and create meaningful, real-world learning experiences for every student.