Achievement awards for further education and training teacher trainees

The School of Education would like to congratulate all our teacher trainees and mentors on the Further Education and Training PGCE course who have recently been awarded a certificate for their achievements this year.Over fifty nominations were made throughout May by trainees and mentors who form part of the ITE in FET partnership at the University of Brighton, with the finalists chosen by the partnership’s course leaders, representing the university, City College, Brighton and Hove, Central Sussex College, Sussex Coast College, Sussex Downs College and Northbrook College.

The six winners were chosen for the following categories (read more about each individual award further down the article):

Trainee of the Year:                       Luke Browning (Falmer)
Mentor of the Year:                        Mike Shepherd (Sussex Downs College)
Most supportive colleague:           Rachel Byrne (Sussex Downs College)
Most innovative teaching:             Tab Betts (Falmer)
Most empathetic teacher:             Gail Waterman (Sussex Coast College in Hastings)
Most improved trainee:                 Andy Denman (Central Sussex College in Crawley)

The Further Education and Teaching PGCE provides a formal teaching qualification for people working, or wishing to work, in the further education sector.  The course is part of the university’s continuing professional development provision, designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers and others involved in training or development, whether professional or voluntary.

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Trainee of the year – Luke Browning
Luke completed the full-time PGCE pre-service route at the University and completed his teaching placement at Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne. He was chosen for this award by both his mentor and peers. Luke was identified as being hugely supportive of the teaching team in the Law department at the college. He shared the team’s enthusiasm and energy for providing top quality for students. He has displayed unrelenting determination to work collaboratively and develop learning both within and beyond the classroom. He supported the Law department on a trip to Germany, introduced innovative resources to the students and was successful in gaining a teaching post at the College. His peers held him in high regard for his support, kindness and openness about sharing good practice

Mentor of the year – Mike Shepherd
Mike works in the Art department at Sussex Downs College in Eastbourne and has mentored both full-time and part-time trainees. He was chosen for this award because he genuinely cares for the development and well-being of the trainees he mentors. He offers them space to develop, helps them quickly integrate into the subject team and always offers, prompt and constructive feedback.
Opportunities are offered to the trainees so that they can challenge themselves and meet expectations. Mike has also been an asset to the teacher training programme because his support has been consistent and he has recognised and shared the values we promote.

Most Innovative Teaching – Tab Betts
Tab completed the full-time PGCE pre-service route at the University and completed his teaching placement at Varndean College in Brighton. His peers quickly recognised his commitment, selfless nature and creativity as regards lesson delivery. He was very organised and created resources for teaching that went above and beyond to ensure that learners were both engaged and stimulated. He used his high level technical skills and cultural knowledge to develop general resources and subject-specific resources that significantly pushed learning and awareness forward. His innovations weren’t restricted to resources though, he also recognised the value of creating energy and variation within the classroom through the use of inventive teaching and learning strategies, some of which involved physical activity. Tab is now employed as Learning Technologist with teaching responsibilities at the University of Sussex.

Most Supportive Colleague – Rachael Byrne
Rachel has completed the part-time Certificate in Education in-service programme at Sussex Downs College. In the face of a number of significant personal and professional challenges that others would have succumbed to, her dry sense of humour and her ability to motivate her colleagues have not been diminished. Her enthusiasm and willingness to assist has been ever-present.  She is well organised and endeavours to give advice whenever she can.  Nothing is ever too much trouble.  She is also thoughtful and mindful of whatever issues her colleagues may have been experiencing themselves. Her priorities are always the well-being of her colleagues and the success of her students. Nothing was too much trouble for her.

Most Empathetic Teacher – Gail Waterman
Gail has completed her first year on the part-time Certificate in Education in-service programme at Sussex Coast College in Hastings. Gail puts people first: with students she addresses and meets a wide range of needs sensitively and professionally; with colleagues she takes time, supports and guides. Gail works with students who struggle, face barriers or need a second chance. All experience her professionalism, her creativity and attention to detail. In other words she cares about their progress and success. Her remarkable progress on the course, including a series of outstanding observed teaching sessions, is testament to her methods and skills.

Most Improved Trainee – Andy Denman
Andy has completed the part-time Certificate in Education in service programme at Central Sussex College in Crawley. Andy is a sixty year-old bricklayer, who has been in the trade all of his working life.  He is held in high regard in the trade for his knowledge, skills and mentoring. He is not from an academic background, but does have a curious and enquiring mind; as with many people new to teaching his concern is to pass on his skills and knowledge to younger generations, with a particular emphasis on helping disadvantaged learners to develop in reaching their potential. Andy struggled to begin with and considered withdrawing at one point but he persevered and proactively made himself available for tutorial support, and actively teamed up with others in a similar position for mutual support. Andy went through the same process in year two, where the project was a challenge, and has produced a positive outcome for the module. He was often to be seen, by myself and others, in college late in the evenings, after work on site, reading, note taking and producing finished assignment work. His teaching has developed positively, demonstrating consistently good practice in his context.