Minister urges teachers to nominate colleagues for Teaching Oscars

10 Feb 2015 01:13 PM

Education Minister Huw Lewis has encouraged teachers across Wales to nominate colleagues and teams in their schools for a prestigious Pearson Teaching Award 2015.

Often described as the “Oscars of Teaching”, the Pearson Teaching Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of exceptional teachers across the UK. Winners are selected by a panel of judges for Silver Teaching Awards, which are announced on 'Thank a Teacher' day each year. All Silver Award winners are then considered for a Gold Award which will be announced at a star-studded Pearson Teaching Awards Gala UK Ceremony, held in London in October and filmed and broadcast on BBC2.

This year, thanks to the Welsh Government, a new category will be introduced: Science Teacher of the Year. This coincides with a high profile Welsh Government campaign ‘Qualified for Life - Focus on Science’ which aims to encourage more young people to study science and consider a career based around science skills.

Huw Lewis said:

“One of the best things about being Education Minister is meeting extremely talented, committed and conscientious teachers on a regular basis. I want exceptional teachers in Wales to be celebrated for the great things that they are doing in our schools. That’s why I would strongly encourage teachers to nominate colleagues or teams in their schools that they feel are deserving of a Pearson Teaching Award.

“I’m so pleased that we were successful in securing a new category – Science Teacher of the Year.  Our ‘Qualified for Life: Focus on Science’ campaign is all about spreading the message that science is fun, that the skills and knowledge gained in science lessons are directly relevant to many jobs and industries, and that science really can pave the way to a stimulating and financially rewarding career.  I’m sure the nominees in this particular category, wherever they come from, will share these sentiments”.

The closing date for nominations for the 2015 Pearson Teaching Awards is 27th March 2015. For more information on the Awards click on the hyperlink below:

http://www.pearsonteachingawards.com/enter/

For more information on Qualified for Life: Focus on Science click below:

http://learning.wales.gov.uk/news/sitenews/qualified-for-life-focus-on-science/?lang=en