Inspirational Rochdale teacher honoured in UK celebration of teaching

Silver winner Becki Lee with chair of governors Nazir Afzal OBE

Selected from thousands of nominations, Hopwood Hall College’s digital guru Becki Lee is one of just 76 Silver Award winners across the country in The Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Becki has been honoured with a Silver Award in The Award for Digital Innovator of the Year for her outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the students she works with every day.

Becki, from Hopwood Hall College, has consistently showcased digital technologies which should be at the forefront of education. Her efforts as Head of Quality and Student Experience have led to Hopwood Hall College becoming recognised as a national example of best practice for digital learning, and she has hosted a number of conferences for other Further Education colleges. She has also written articles for educational press and provides eLearning support to other schools on a one-to-one basis.

Becki 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.

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.

Becki Lee, Head of Quality and Student Experience at Hopwood Hall College, said: “This award wouldn’t have been possible without the team I’ve got working with me. Digital innovation is a team effort, it isn’t just me. I’m just representing all those people who believed in eLearning years ago when many people didn’t.”

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.”