Sports Academy win silver for FE Team of the Year at the Pearson National Teaching Awards

Selected from thousands of nominations, The Sports Academy Team at Newham Sixth Form College have won a Silver Award and ranked as the top two in their category at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

There are 14 categories in total of which there are just 76 Silver Award winners across the country. The Sports Academy Team was honoured with a Silver Award in The Award for Further Education Team of the Year for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day. 

The team was nominated as they play an integral part in recruiting new students, with nearly 300 students in 2018/19 identifying the college’s sports provision as being influential in their decision to apply. The team has seen numerous successes in regional and national competitions, has contributed significantly to students’ positive mental health, and works with external partners and employers to provide clear pathways for life after college.

The team is now in the running for one of just 14 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school staff who have worked wonders during an incredibly challenging time for educators across the country.

Christine Hepworth-James from Pearson along with Lyn Brown MP and Newham Councillor Jane Lofthouse joined the college online for a live awards ceremony broadcasted to an audience of more than 500 NewVIc governors, staff, students, parents and professional colleagues in the wider community on Wednesday coinciding with national announcements by the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Former Sports Academy Manager Beth Harris added:

This award is a testament to the team for their work over the previous years. They have all worked incredibly hard to push boundaries, to not take no for an answer, to make sure we have ample opportunities for every young person in the college to develop. 

And to use sport as a tool to help develop the whole young person and support their education. Participation in physical activity for mental health, participation in various sports and performing at national levels. The value of physical activity is so important and needs to carry on being taken on board as one of the key aspects of our students’ wellbeing. Congratulations to all.

Scott Simmons, Coach for The Cricket Academy added:

The team are overwhelmed and overjoyed to be celebrating this award. It can only be described as a monumental moment for everyone at NewVIc. To be recognised for the work we do on a national level is phenomenal. 

We are here to make a difference, create opportunities that young people may not have had without being at NewVIc and create an environment where students can shine, excel and get ready for life once they leave us.

Lyn Brown MP added:

I’m not that surprised with NewVIc winning this award. I have always thought that the college helps students whatever their circumstances. The transforming nature of what happens to them through sports I think is something that we underestimate. It’s about joining together as a group, succeeding together and having pride in yourself of what you can achieve. I am very grateful to all the staff for making that happen for the young people at the college.

Chair of Governors, Martin Rosner, said:

Many of our students come with huge disadvantages. NewVIc does their very best they can for students to help overcome some of the disadvantages that they face through sports. In these difficult times celebrating success becomes even more important and we have certainly done that with this award.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards 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 the young people they work with. This year marks its 22nd year of celebrating, award-winning teachers, teaching assistants, headteachers and lecturers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. 

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: 

Congratulations to all of our Silver Award winners for their commitment, dedication and passion for their work. Despite the incredible challenges they have faced over the past few months, school staff have risen to the occasion time and again. 

“It is so important to recognise and celebrate teachers, teaching assistants and lecturers for the impact they have on our young people every year, and that is why Pearson is delighted to support these Awards.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

My warmest congratulations go to all this year’s silver award winners. They should be proud to receive this recognition of their commitment to the profession, and the outstanding education and guidance they provide for their students.

Teachers and school staff up and down the country consistently go above and beyond for their students, and this is especially true over the past few months. It is down to their hard work that schools have been able to open their gates to all pupils again for the start of the new term, and I cannot say thank you enough for everything they have done.