Charlie Hammond, Outdoor Education lecturer at Coleg Sir Gâr, has been named a Classroom Hero for his Outstanding Use of Technology in Education.
Thank a Teacher Day 2017, the Pearson Teaching Awards were founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the significant impact of inspirational teachers on the lives of their young pupils. This year, the awards have announced 56 Silver Winners in UK schools.
Following thousands of nominations, tens of celebrations will take place today in schools and colleges across England, Ireland and Wales as the Silver Winner status is presented to outstanding local heroes of education.
Charlie Hammond is a lecturer in Outdoor education and has a digital story to tell. In 2011 he began using emerging learning platforms such as ‘My Big Campus’ to improve communication between himself and his students. He developed this with the aim to reduce paper use in his BTEC Level 3 Outdoor Education course, by combining different types of VLE’s such as MBC and Moodle.
By the time Google Classroom was launched, he saw that many of the tools he needed could be combined in one place.
He grew his strategy and influenced his colleagues to try new techniques and maximise their digital skills for the benefit of the students, the course and the college. They now deliver a paperless course, sharing and developing great practice, gathering continual feedback from students and monitoring progression.
Recent results have shown some of the highest attendance levels in the college. All students completed the course with progression on to Higher Education or into industry related employment.
His students have the upmost respect for him, acknowledging him as a ‘Lad’. One previous student said that his passion and care has inspired her to go into teaching.
All Silver Winners are invited to the annual Awards Ceremony in London on 22nd October. There, they will find out which of them has won one of just 11 Gold Plato Awards, the UK’s “Oscars for Teachers”.
The October ceremony, titled “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”, will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC as a showcase of excellence in education. Previous award presenters have included former prime ministers David Cameron & Tony Blair, acting legends Alison Steadman, Sheila Hancock and Timothy West and sports and TV personalities including Helen Glover, Brendan Cole and Nadiya Hussain.
The Teaching Awards Trust today also welcomes celebrated author and former Children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo as its new President. Mr Morpurgo will support the charity’s mission to celebrate excellence in education through the annual Pearson Teaching Awards and the Thank a Teacher Campaign.
Becoming an inspirational teacher is a serious, admirable commitment. And memorable, outstanding teaching should be celebrated by educators, pupils, parents and throughout society – Michael Morpurgo, President of the Teaching Awards Trust
Morpurgo says “Becoming an inspirational teacher is a serious, admirable commitment. And memorable, outstanding teaching should be celebrated by educators, pupils, parents and throughout society. With these awards, we’re taking the time to recognise the remarkable, often unappreciated efforts of fantastic teachers up and down the country.”
Award Categories:
- Outstanding New Teacher of the Year
- Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School
- Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School
- Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School
- Teacher of the Year in a Primary School
- Excellence in Special Needs
- Teaching Assistant of the Year
- FE Teacher/ Lecturer of the Year
- Outstanding School Team of the Year
- Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Outstanding Use of Technology