Mandy Lawes – Head of Key Stage 4 and Eric Villacarolos – Digital Learning Lead both celebrated being recognised for their efforts at Global Academy by the National Teaching Awards.

The awards celebrate both Mandy and Eric’s focus and outstanding commitment to changing the lives of children.

Eric who is Global Academy’s Digital Learning Lead and part of the Media Department received a Highly Commended Award for Digital Innovator of the Year from a pool of thousands across the UK. Eric has led the charge in developing our digital innovation at the Global Academy. While the pandemic may have turbocharged the ‘need’ to innovate as a school community – Eric’s consistent passion, dedication and focus on driving and championing the digital learning agenda has created an impact with staff, students, parents and the wider school community alike.

Eric’s passion for innovation, simplicity and drive has ensured that technology has improved teaching and learning for all at Global Academy. His consistent energy and focus on utilising tech have both inspired and motivated all across the school community – as well as improved outcomes and opportunities for our learners.

Mandy who is our Head of Key Stage 4 picked up recognition with a Certificate of Excellence in the the Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support. Nominees were selected for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day academic year in particular during the pandemic.

As our learners spent the majority of the past twelve months behind a computer screen in their own homes – the phrase which was quoted by all was “every school needs a Mandy”. Mandy was our Lockdown Hero!

Mandy calls herself the “Global School Muma” – the driving force behind everything she did during the lockdown period in support of our students. Mandy offered students strategies to help their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She supported them when they made mistakes and helped them to work through the choices they have made and what they could have done differently with no judgment. She is a positive influence on our students and continued to offer this positivity throughout the pandemic. In short – Mandy has been a rock for our school community during the lockdown – a real “Lockdown Hero”!

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, 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 the UK.