Inspirational lecturer honoured in National Teaching Awards

Lauren Robinson, Lecturer and Programme Leader for Performance at Sunderland College, has been selected from thousands of nominations to win a Pearson National Teaching Silver Award. 

Lauren was honoured with the Silver Award for Further Education Lecturer of the Year, supported by the Department for Education for her outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the students she works with every day. 

Starting her journey with Sunderland College as a student, Lauren returned to complete her PGCE placement at Bede Campus while also delivering Ballroom for Beginners classes which saw her progress to a fixed term contract and eventually a permanent Programme Leader role. 

Upon receiving her award, Lauren said: “It feels amazing; it was completely unexpected. To be recognised in such prestigious awards is a huge thing for me. 

“It is lovely to know that everything I have done is appreciated. I want to thank my students who have been a huge part of this success and journey. I have a great rapport with them and pride myself on building those positive relationships.  

“I am thankful for this award and acknowledgement which has really opened my eyes to the impact I have had on so many people.” 

Lauren has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards, which will be announced and celebrated at a gala ceremony in London on 25 November and televised on the BBC, with winners showcased on The One Show. 

Rebecca Jameson, Curriculum Manager for Creative Arts, who nominated Lauren for the award, said: “Lauren is so deserving of this award and recognition. She is a passionate and valued member of our faculty, Sunderland College and Education Partnership North East. 

“Her commitment to helping her students succeed and the work she does truly changes lives.” 

The honours were announced on National Thank a Teacher Day, an annual event celebrating the role of educators across the UK for the valued role they play in communities and shaping young people. This year, students were joined by celebrities including Sir Michael Morpurgo, Edith Bowman, Bobby Seagull, Ore Oduba and Nadiya Hussain to mark their teachers’ achievements. 

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity now in its 25th year, that recognises the life-changing work that takes place in education, highlighting the vital role educators play and the work that’s delivered in schools and colleges every day. 

Michael Morpurgo, author and President of the Teaching Awards Trust said: “I am inspired by the devotion of teachers and the huge impact they have on the lives of the young people they tutor, support, encourage and motivate day in and day out. 

“The valuable role they play both inside and outside the classroom has inspired generations of young people across the country to achieve their potential.   I am delighted to congratulate the winners of the 2023 Awards and thank them all for the amazing contributions they have made to our communities.” 

Sharon Hague, Senior Vice President of Schools at Pearson UK, said: “We would like to congratulate the Silver winners on their incredible achievements. 

“We can’t underestimate the huge contribution schools make to our young people’s lives and Lauren is an inspiring example of the positive impact an individual can have on pupils and communities.”  

Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan said: “People go into teaching to change lives, and so many of us are lucky to have been shaped and influenced by the best of the teaching profession. 

“These awards mark the exceptional contribution that incredible headteachers, teachers and support staff make every single day, nurturing the potential of our young people across the country. 

“Congratulations to each and every winner and thank you for all you do for our children.” 

The Pearson National Teaching Awards are open to every early years setting, school and college across the UK. The awards were established by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998 and are managed by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity. The vision of the charity is to recognise and celebrate excellence in education. It does this through its public facing ‘Thank A Teacher’ campaign www.thankateacher.co.uk, and through the Pearson National Teaching Awards.