Crime scene expert’s award ‘clean sweep’
EMMA CURRY
AN Accrington crime scene expert has been presented with a Medal of Excellence by television presenter Louise Minchin.
Stuart Wilson, who teaches bio-hazard cleaning at Accrington and Rossendale College, has been recognised by national and training qualification board City and Guilds for his outstanding teaching.
Stuart, who has taught specialist courses on biohazards, crime scene and trauma cleaning at Accrington Rossendale College for 18 years – and has worked for councils and the police around the north west – was presented the award by the BBC Breakfast News presenter at a ceremony in London.
Stuart sets up realistic, staged crime scenes for students using a variety of unorthodox materials, including Nutella, tomato sauce and vegetable soup, and works hard to make his courses interactive and interesting.
Many of his students have gone on to set up their own businesses.
Stuart said: “It’s an honour to be recognised in this way for something I do every day as my job. I really enjoy making my lessons as interactive and engaging as possible and the fact that this important career path is being highlighted can only be a good thing. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it.”
Stuart was recommended for the special award after receiving positive feedback from a monitoring visit for City and Guilds and from learners who had studied on the course.
The college has bespoke learning spaces which are housed in the cleaning and facilities workshop.
The workshop, which has different scenarios including cells, allows students to put what they have learnt straight into practice.
Ray Felters, deputy head of service industries at the college, said: “Stuart has consistently gone above and beyond with his teaching and training at Accrington and Rossendale College.
“The success of his students proves that his lessons are effective and engaging, turning quite an unsavoury subject into unique and sought after skills.
“The whole team are extremely proud of him for being presented with this prestigious accolade.”