Tenbury High Ormiston Academy wins award for services to the community

  4 May, 2021

Vicki Dean with High Sherriff Mark Jackson
Principal Vicki Dean with High Sherriff Mark Jackson

Tenbury High Ormiston Academy has won the Worcestershire High Sheriff Award for its services to the community during the extensive flooding that hit Tenbury Wells in February last year, which saw more than 130 properties evacuated.

At the time, the academy served as a rescue centre for local people who were being evacuated from their homes. The site manager and site assistant are both retained firefighters, and so were on alert to help when the flooding started. Meanwhile, staff that lived locally to the academy were called up to lend their support.

With residents of the town being rescued by boat and some arriving in their pyjamas, staff at the school jumped into action to offer the helping hand that was needed. The local authority delivered sleeping bags, blankets, airbeds and towels, as well as some essential food items, which were quickly distributed to those who needed them. 

As the flooding worsened, local services had to re-strategise and alongside being a rescue centre, the academy also became the Bronze Command Centre, where heads of local emergency services based themselves in order to respond to calls for help.

Volunteers at Tenbury High set up kitchens to support the rescue workers, the emergency services and those who were sheltering. They also opened a family room for those arriving with their children.

The Worcestershire High Sheriff Award recognises the fantastic work that Tenbury High did during that period. The award is given in recognition of great and valuable services to the community and serves as a testament to Tenbury High’s tremendous commitment to not only its students but to the wider community.

Principal at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy, Vicki Dean, said: “We all feel extremely honoured to have received this award for our services. At Tenbury High, we place the highest value on supporting our neighbours and being at the heart of the community here in Tenbury Wells, and our response to the flooding is a prime example of that. Over the past year, we have all pulled together more than ever before, and I’m so proud of everyone at the academy for their strength, compassion and resilience.”


Category: News

Tags: , , , ,