College staff win in national teaching awards

Tutors from Hopwood Hall College and University Centre have been recognised with a string of national awards and commendations.

The college’s Hair, Beauty and Catering team has been recognised with a Silver Award for Further Education Team of the Year in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Chosen from thousands of nominees, they will now be in with the chance of winning the highly desired Gold Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.

Meanwhile, Motor Vehicle tutor Andrew Heaton was named Highly Commended in the FE Lecturer of the Year category.

In addition, a number of staff from across different curriculum areas were recognised during an inspiring event held at the college’s Rochdale Campus.

Sophia Hopwood, Jacquie Brockett, Corina Marcroft and David Mills were all honoured with Certificates of Excellence, while Chris Formetti received a Certificate of Nomination.

All in all, 93 deserving teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions recognised as a silver winner in this year’s awards for the lasting impact they have on shaping the lives of young people.

The announcement follows tributes from celebrities, students and schools across the UK as they said thank you to all those who work in education to mark National Thank a Teacher Day.

Celebrating the whole education community, National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.

Julia Heap, Principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College and University Centre, said: “Our teams work tirelessly throughout the year to make sure our students reach their full potential, so I’m delighted to see their efforts being recognised on a national level.

“It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with them as they learned about their awards during a special ceremony held at our Rochdale Campus.

“We’ll now all be keeping our fingers crossed for our Hair, Beauty and Catering team as they compete for the coveted Gold Award!”

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, says: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom – offering encouragement, inspiration, and unwavering support that can shape lives for years to come. That’s why National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all that they do.

“I’m also delighted to be able to congratulate this year’s Silver Award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day.”

Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, says: “Every day, educators across the UK go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape the future generation. Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our Silver Award winners represent the very best of the profession, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements. Congratulations to all of this year’s Silver winners!”

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, says: “On Thank a Teacher Day, I want to celebrate the remarkable professionals who are the backbone of our education system. Brilliant teachers make the single biggest difference to a child’s education.

“I’ve experienced first-hand how a great teacher can make all the difference. Teachers don’t just deliver lessons – they transform lives, inspire curiosity, and build the confidence our children need to succeed. For this incredible commitment to our nation’s future, we owe our teachers our deepest gratitude.”

About the Awards:

The Pearson National Teaching Awards are open to every early years setting, school and college across the UK. The awards were established by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998 and are managed by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity. The vision of the charity is to recognise and celebrate the impact of education across the UK. It does this through its public-facing ‘Thank A Teacher’ campaign www.thankateacher.co.uk, and through the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

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