Praise for inspirational teachers who helped Oxbridge students
TEACHERS IN Yorkshire have been honoured by Oxford University for the “inspiration” they offered to students in the region.
Oxford’s annual Inspirational Teachers Awards recognise teachers at 10 state schools across the country, and this year included three from Yorkshire schools.
Adam Pothecary, an English teacher at Bradford College, was nominated by his former student 22-year-old Rocco Memery. Andrew Hodgson, a politics teacher at Aston Academy, received his award after being nominated by pupil Natalie Magee. And Kim Lambert at Prior Pursglove College in North Yorkshire, was nominated by Bethany Carter.
The Inspirational Teachers scheme recognises the role teachers and careers advisers play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges.
A selection of first-year Oxford undergraduates were asked to nominate those who inspired them to apply to Oxford, fostered their passion for a particular subject, or supported them through the application process. The students were all from selected UK state schools or colleges with a limited history and tradition of sending students to Oxford.
Dr Samina Khan, director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, said: “The Inspirational Teachers Awards are one of my favourite events of the whole year, because the awards are about celebrating the hard work of teachers.
“We hear from current students at Oxford about how their teachers supported and encouraged them, not only through the excellence of their subject teaching but also by helping students believe in themselves, and believe that Oxford could be for them.
“I would like to see more students from all regions and all backgrounds applying to us.”
Oxford University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Louise Richardson, added: “Inspirational teachers make a lifelong impression on their students. Every one of us, of any age, can remember a teacher who challenged and inspired us, who brought out the best in us, and motivated us to do more.”