AWARD-WINNING TEAM MEET EDUCATION SECRETARY AT HOUSE OF COMMONS

Image caption: Graham Roberts And Claire Pearl.

Representatives from North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College’s Hospitality and Catering team met Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds MP at the House of Commons as part of an event to celebrate their success in a national competition designed to recognise excellence in education.

The team, represented by learning and skills manager Claire Pearl, and chef lecturer Graham Roberts, were hosted at Westminster by employment minister Alok Sharma MP and met fellow-award winners from across the UK, all celebrating their success as Silver Award winners in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Damian Hinds MP welcomed teachers and tutors from schools and colleges, reminding them of the importance of their role in the development of young people. Also present at the event was Rob Bristow, president of Pearson Education, and Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton. As well as enjoying the experience of visiting the House of Commons, the team enjoyed a special afternoon tea on the Pavilion Terrace.

Selected from thousands of nominations, the Hospitality and Catering team at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College is one of just 68 Silver Award winners from across the country. The team was presented with its prestigious Pearson Silver Teaching Award trophy last month by Professor Ray Linforth, OBE, Chair of the North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College Corporation.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards, now in its 21^st year, is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of young people, many of whom go on to train as teachers themselves thanks to the significant impact their teachers have made on them.

The Hospitality and Catering team at the College now joins a shortlist to compete for one of just 13 Gold awards at the UK’s ‘Oscars for Teachers’. They will join fellow Silver Award winners at a glittering event due to be held at the Roundhouse in London on 20 October 2019. The ceremony is due to be broadcast on BBC2 on 27 October to showcase excellence in education from across the UK.

Marion Plant, OBE, FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College said, “This team really deserve the recognition that this achievement brings because they work so hard to support their students and are absolutely committed to enabling them to achieve the very best.”

Click here to discover more about Hospitality and Catering courses at the College.