Shine a spotlight on your teacher at the Northern Irish Unsung Hero awards

UK charity, The Teaching Awards Trust, is calling for the local community in Northern Ireland to nominate school staff for a prestigious national teaching award, televised by BBC One’s The One Show.

With the 2023 Awards now open for entry, it’s the perfect time to recognise local unsung teaching heroes in our city and to surprise them live on TV. Entries will be judged by a panel including The One Show host, Alex Jones.

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The Unsung Hero award spotlights everyday heroes working in establishments providing full-time education to children aged 3-18. And it’s not just for teachers.

You can nominate any member of staff, including office staff, caretakers, lab technicians and all support staff. It gives them some of the recognition they deserve for all their hard work.

Silver winners enjoy a trip to London in July for a celebratory afternoon tea reception, followed by the annual awards ceremony in November for both Silver and Gold winners.

As well as attending the ceremony at a London venue, winners get an overnight stay in a top London hotel, and a trophy to recognise their contribution to a profession that changes lives.

Last year, the Health Studies team at North West Regional College in Derry won Gold in the ‘Further Education Team of the Year’ category. They were praised by judges for their “focus and passion” preparing students to go onto train in health sector careers such as nursing, midwifery, and radiography.

The Health Studies team at North West Regional College said: “This award will inspire us for years to come, as we continue in our determination to ensure every one of our students achieves their goals, while boosting their confidence so they can reach their full potential.”

Other local heroes on shortlist for the 2022 awards included FE sports lecturer, Ivor Neill and health lecturer, Jacqueline Turner both achieving Silver in the ‘Further Education Lecturer of the Year’ category.

Now, the Pearson National Teaching Awards is calling for entries from the local community for the 2023 awards.

With so many schools and colleges in Northern Ireland, there must be plenty more unsung teaching heroes out there who deserve a bit of recognition.

If you know a teacher or anyone who works in your local nursery, school or college that deserves an award, then don’t miss this opportunity!

You can nominate via the Teaching Awards website: www.teachingawards.com and the entry deadline for the 2023 National Teaching Awards is 24^th February.

Sir Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said:

People of all ages will always remember that amazing teacher who made such a difference in their lives, whether that’s igniting a fire for their favourite subject or the support they’re received outside the classroom. Teachers and school staff will never know how many lives they have changed, or the impact they have made on so many children and their families, but our hope is that these awards help show them our gratitude, how much we owe them, how much we value their dedication.”