The 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards celebrated the outstanding contribution of educators from across the UK this weekend at a glittering awards ceremony. Considered the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession, 16 gold winners were recognised for their remarkable impact and dedication, seven of which were revealed exclusively on BBC’s The One Show, alongside another in The Sunday Times.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration that honours the outstanding achievements and transformative impact of educators. Run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity, and sponsored by Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, the awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.
Among the winners is Oli McVeigh, ‘Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School’. An inspirational assistant headteacher and director of English, Oli was celebrated for his dedication to improving boys’ education, focusing on mentorship and creating safe spaces for boys to explore masculinity and mental health.
Meanwhile, the gold winner for ‘Teaching Assistant of the Year’, Jo Wyatt was praised for her impactful approach to helping her students develop a sense of identity, using mirrors to promote self-love and encouraging positive relationships through the support of her therapy dog, Bella. Alexis Dabee Saltmarsh, a lecturer of Motorsports, Aeronautical, and Composite Engineering, was also recognised as ‘FE Lecturer of the Year’ for encouraging more women into STEM subjects and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The winners were selected from thousands of nominees, by the Pearson National Teaching Awards judging panel, based on practical evidence of inspirational teaching and learning, contribution to the wider life of the school and community and examples of influence amongst colleagues.
The achievements of these award winners, and the impact they have on young people, reinforce the recent findings from the Pearson School Report 2024 which surveyed more than 12,000 teachers and students across the UK. The report found that 74% of learners say their school supports them in achieving future aspirations, while more than three-quarters of students say their teachers look out for them.
Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, says: “The impact of a great teacher can be life-changing. We can all remember that one teacher who influenced our lives, whether it was just in that moment or something that we have carried with us. That’s why these awards are so important. The devotion of all of those who work in education is clear from the entries we receive year after year, and 2024 was no different. I am delighted to be able to congratulate all of this year’s Pearson National Teaching Award winners. Their exceptional efforts continue to inspire us and enrich the young lives they impact daily.”
