Lifetime Achievement

Bernice Boyton Corbett, St Margaret's Prep

Bernice has worked in various teaching roles since qualifying in 1971, achieving deputy headship at the age of 24 and headship at 27. She has been an ISI Inspector of Schools since 1998 and has also held many posts within the ISA.

During her career, she has revived the fortunes of two independent schools, enhancing their reputations. Between 1992 and 1996, she was head at St Colette's Preparatory School, Cambridge. She took pupil numbers from 72 to 268 in just two years. When Bernice took over at St Margaret's in 1996, she acquired a rundown school with small pupil numbers, dilapidated buildings and no equipment. Pupil numbers quickly increased from 78 to 250. Over the years, the school has developed an outstanding reputation.

Bernice has dedicated her life to the development and wellbeing of children, including 30 years as a governor at Piper's Corner School, Buckinghamshire.

Gill Sykes, Casterton School

Gill Sykes began her career at Casterton School as assistant teacher of mathematics in September 1981. She then undertook extra duties such as being in charge of the day girls and became a house tutor.

Gill was appointed to the staff development committee in September 1988 and was a stalwart source of support and advice to her colleagues. She then became assistant deputy head in September 1997 and deputy head in September 2005.

In September 2009, she was acting head for one term and led the school successfully through Ofsted boarding and ISI inspections three weeks into the new academic year. Gill is an excellent administrator, her calmness and loyalty are valued by staff and pupils.

Gill retired as deputy head in July 2011, but has agreed to remain as a part-time member of staff. She has made an outstanding contribution to the school and shown exceptional generosity of spirit throughout her career.

Winner: Dr Stephen Winkley, Rossall School

Dr Stephen Winkley has been employed in independent boarding schools for more than 40 years. He started at Cranleigh in 1969, where he ran a selective sixth-form house.

Sixteen years later he became second master at Winchester College. In 1991, he took on the headship of Uppingham School. Over 15 years he turned it into one of the most desirable co-educational boarding schools in the country, building up the numbers from 590 to 750, and established the Uppingham Foundation.

He retired at 62, but was tempted by the headship at Rossall, where he transformed this struggling school on the Lancashire coast.

Within three years, the school has moved from an annual deficit of 12 per cent to a surplus of 12 per cent; the number of boarders has increased by 90.

Stephen was also instrumental in setting up the Boarding Education Alliance and has been chair of the BSA.

Tony Young, Chinthurst School

Tony Young began his teaching career in 1962 at Winchester House Preparatory School, Sevenoaks. His expertise in the classroom later led to him being appointed director of studies during his seven-year tenure. In 1969, Tony began his 31-year association with Nower Lodge School in Dorking. Tony was appointed deputy head in 1971 before being promoted to the role of head a year later, a post he was to hold for 18 years.

In 1990, Tony hung up his head's gown in favour of a return to the classroom, this time at Chinthurst Preparatory School in Tadworth, Surrey, training the scholarship candidates in Latin and Classical Greek and teaching history to senior boys. He continues to contribute fully to the extracurricular life of the school, pioneering the annual cricket tours to Norfolk and assisting with the many French trips.

In 2011, Tony retired, bringing to a close a remarkable career.

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