Selected from thousands of nominations, Principal Cherry Tingle and teacher Kerryann Wilson from Energy Coast UTC are two of just 76 education award winners in the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Energy Coast UTC was also recognised as one of the finest schools in the country. On Wednesday 16 September, they will be honoured for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.
The UTC, their Principal Cherry Tingle, and teacher and Vice Principal Kerryann Wilson have all received Silver Awards – but that is not all! As Silver Award winners they are now in the running for one of just 14 Gold Awards (one in each category) later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school staff who have worked wonders during an incredibly challenging time for educators across the country.
The award-winning teachers will be presented with a prestigious Silver Pearson National Teaching Award trophy at Energy Coast UTC to celebrate their outstanding achievement.
Energy Coast UTC won a Silver Award in The Award for Making a Difference – Best Secondary School of the Year. The UTC is now one of just 5 schools in the running for Best Secondary School in the country. The UTC was entered for the awards after massive improvement over recent years. In September 2016, the school was judged to be inadequate and rated by Ofsted as Requires Improvement in February 2017. However, at the next inspection, in June 2019, it was judged Outstanding in all areas – one of only four schools in the country to make this level of improvement in a single jump. Pupils excel at school and it is making a real difference to the lives of hundreds of young people.
Cherry Tingle won a Silver Award in The Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School and is now one of just 4 headteachers eligible for the Gold Award – of best headteacher in the country. Shewas highlighted by Ofsted as having “transformed the college” in all aspects. She skilfully developed and built a highly motivated, ambitious and dedicated team who were single- minded in their pursuit of excellence. Led by Cherry, results have rapidly improved and Ofsted have confirmed the school is offering a wonderful education. She is an inspiring, empathetic leader who always, whatever the personal cost, makes time for everyone. Her leadership has had a massive impact on the life chances for students and to the working environment and future for staff.
Kerryann Wilson won a Silver Award in The Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School and is now one of just 10 teachers eligible for the Gold Award – of best teacher in the country. She has also been instrumental to the school’s transformation. Her results are superb – with more than 80% of students gaining a grade 4 or above in English, while her teaching is never graded as less than Outstanding. She mentors new teachers at the UTC with great success, as well as running online revision sessions and social media study aids for students.
Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said:
“Over the past year, we have, all of us, come to appreciate and respect the value of teachers. They have so often been taken for granted. Not any more. Parents know now what it takes to teach, and teach well, and how much commitment, dedication and enthusiasm and knowledge and understanding, yes – and patience.
“Children know it too, if they didn’t before. So many missed their teachers as well as their friends. We all honour them today. Let’s now praise them, wish them well and above all, thank them.”
Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said:
“Congratulations to all of our Silver Award winners for their commitment, dedication and passion for their work. Despite the incredible challenges they have faced over the past few months, school staff have risen to the occasion time and again.
“It is so important to recognise and celebrate teachers, teaching assistants and lecturers for the impact they have on our young people every year, and that is why Pearson is delighted to support these Awards.”
Lorraine Langham, Chief Executive of Future First, the education charity sponsoring this award, said:
“Making a difference is what our work at Future First is all about. That’s why we sponsored the Making the Difference Award. Energy Coast UTC has shown just what can be done and our heartfelt congratulations go to all concerned. A young person’s start in life should not limit their future and through our alumni programmes with schools, students can be motivated and inspired to make the difference themselves and transform their own lives.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“My warmest congratulations go to all this year’s silver award winners. They should be proud to receive this recognition of their commitment to the profession, and the outstanding education and guidance they provide for their students.
“Teachers and school staff up and down the country consistently go above and beyond for
their students, and this is especially true over the past few months. It is down to their hard work that schools have been able to open their gates to all pupils again for the start of the
new term, and I cannot say thank you enough for everything they have done.”