Principal of Wirral Met College, Sue Higginson, has been honoured with the silver award for Lifetime Achievement from the Pearson National Awards.
The announcement came following a celebration event held in college for staff and students for National Thank A Teacher Day.
A total of 89 winners across the UK were named as winners of the Pearson National Teaching Awards of whom six received the silver award for Lifetime Achievement and are now shortlisted for gold.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards were set up to celebrate the impact of invaluable education within the UK. Run by the Teaching Awards Trust and supported by Pearson and the BBC, they are the UK’s most prestigious celebration of transformational teaching.
The Award for Lifetime Achievement is for those who have dedicated their life to the teaching profession and have had a significant and positive impact on the people they have worked with over the course of their teaching career; from pupils and colleagues to educational stakeholders and within their local community, and not only in their current schools, but throughout their teaching career. Their commitment to, and passion for, education is exemplary to all.
The silver award winners have been invited to a celebratory afternoon tea aboard The Glassroom Bateaux London on Wednesday 5 July where they will meet fellow winners, judges and sponsors. Those awarded silver will now be shortlisted to win one of 16 gold awards to be presented on 25 November in London.
Sue Higginson, Principal and CEO of Wirral Met College said, “Today is National Thank A Teacher Day and I am so overwhelmed to be receiving such a prestigious award. It’s a real priviledge to be a Principal and by far the best part is to see and hear about the difference our team make, every day, through their hard work; they change lives, not just for their students, often for the whole family.
“Teaching is a true vocation, it’s the best job in the world and with 66 per cent of our students being from areas of high deprivation, many of them are the first in their family to continue their education beyond school."
“Our students’ success is a testament to the fantastic teaching, learning and support they receive at Wirral Met. Every member of our team whether teaching, supporting learning or in business support, play a part in creating a vibrant learning environment where students feel welcomed, safe and motivated to work hard on their future careers.”
John Levick, who was Sue’s former teaching mentor and first line manager at Wirral Met College, presented the award saying, “It’s quite emotional for me to present this award. I have been fortunate to have seen Sue’s progress over three decades from being an inspirational teacher right through to her appointment as Principal of the College where she was a student and later joined as a teacher.
“Sue has always had the ability to connect with everybody and all the attributes that made her an outstanding teacher have made her what she is today. She thoroughly deserves this award and I am honoured to present it.”
Jacqui Allen, from the Pearson National Awards team said, “I was really proud to be sharing this with Sue, who is obviously an outstanding leader. This year The Teaching Awards Trust celebrates its 25th anniversary, so this is a particularly special year to win!
“Since 1999 we have celebrated almost 2300 Silver Winners. Today Sue joins one of this year’s 89 Silver winners being celebrated across the UK. The purpose of the Awards and the reason we sponsor them is to help celebrate the outstanding work taking place in education across the UK.”