THE SEARCH FOR THE NATION’S UNSUNG EDUCATION HERO IS ON
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The deadline to nominate your unsung hero for the Pearson National Teaching Awards is fast approaching
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Teachers, parents, support staff, former pupils, supervisors and more are called to nominate anyone in their school community whose work goes above and beyond to enhance the lives of young people by the 28th of February
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The winner reveal will be televised on BBC’s The One Show
Time is running out for educators, parents, guardians and students to nominate an unsung hero in their school community for the nation’s most prestigious education awards. The Pearson National Teaching Awards, considered the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession, is an annual celebration that honours the outstanding achievements and transformative impact of educators across the UK.
This award recognises anyone in the school staff team who goes above and beyond facing their day-to-day role with unwavering enthusiasm. This may be a teaching assistant who takes extra time to make the classrooms look magical for students, a janitor who supports pupils and staff going through hard times or a lunchtime supervisor who creates a fine dining experience to celebrate students’ achievements.
The winner will be revealed in a surprise visit from BBC’s The One Show, with the programme aired in the lead up to the UK Ceremony. If this sounds like someone you know at your local school or college, then now is the time to make sure they are recognised for their commitment and the phenomenal work they carry out every day.
Last year Greg Smalley was announced as the 2024 Unsung Hero gold winner on BBC’s The One Show by Alex Jones, also receiving special messages of thanks from renowned gardener and broadcaster, Alan Titchmarsh, and presenter and nature photographer, Chris Packham. Leading the school’s onsite forest school for students with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties and autism spectrum conditions (ASC), Greg’s unique approach to hard-to-reach students engages them while helping them develop practical, social, and emotional skills. Greg described his win as “overwhelmingly delightful”.
Mary Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at The Teaching Awards Trust said: “All staff working in education deserve immense recognition for their dedication to teaching and nurturing students. These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the brilliant work happening in schools and colleges day in and day out. The Unsung Hero award recognises a member of staff who positively enhances the lives of others in their school community, working quietly behind the scenes with a positive attitude and demonstrating a willingness to help in whatever capacity is necessary. If this sounds like someone you know at your local school, then now is the time to make sure they are recognised for their commitment and hard work.”
Nominations for the Unsung Hero award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards can be made on the website below by the 28th of February. There are an additional 15 categories in the awards open for teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators to nominate their outstanding work too. Head to the website here for further details.