Teachers to be honoured for inspiring students to Oxford success
16 April 2013
Twelve state school teachers from across Britain will be honoured as ‘inspirational teachers’ by Oxford University as part of an awards scheme designed to recognise and show appreciation for inspirational teachers from state schools and colleges.
On Friday 19 April the teachers will be honoured by Oxford University’s Vice-Chancellor at an event to be held at St Hilda’s College recognising their efforts supporting pupils who were successful in getting places at Oxford. The teachers were all nominated by current first-year Oxford students.
Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, will be presenting the awards, and said: ‘It’s hard to over-estimate the impact a good teacher can have in encouraging and raising the aspirations of students over the course of their careers. Winning a place at Oxford takes hard work and dedication, and having the support of a committed teacher is for many students what makes the difference in pushing them to apply and make the strongest application they can. I hope this award will send the message that students and universities recognise how valuable the role of a supportive teacher can be.’
Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oxford, said: ‘The Inspirational Teachers Awards are a way of recognising the importance of school or college teachers in encouraging bright students to realise their potential and make a successful application to Oxford, especially those who might not have initially believed they were Oxford material.
‘Most of the students who submitted nominations this year were the only ones at their school with the academic ability to apply to Oxford, and might not have even considered applying. We think it’s important to recognise those teachers whose dedication really made a difference in pushing students to have confidence in their academic abilities and aim for the top, no matter what.
‘This year’s winning teachers also represented the highest standard of commitment to all their students, inspiring successful Oxford applicants but also raising the aspirations or instilling an enthusiasm for their subject in others. They have inspired students with their passion, creativity and dedication to be the best they possibly can be, and deserve recognition for that above all.’
The award scheme, now in its third year, recognises the crucial role teachers and careers advisors play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges. A selection of current first-year Oxford undergraduates were asked to nominate teachers or careers advisors for the award who inspired them to apply to Oxford, fostered their passion for a particular subject or supported them through the application process. The students were all from selected UK state schools or colleges with a limited history and tradition of sending students to Oxford.
Applications to Oxford from the state sector have risen by 35% in 10 years (in contrast to a rise of 23% from the independent sector). For 2012 entry, of the UK students that applied, 57.5% of those accepted were from state school students.
Oxford University through its outreach work reaches 78% of schools across the country with post-16 provision. The University also has a major focus on working with teachers, including a series of regional teachers’ conferences each year, a one-day event for Oxford's own PGCE programme, and working with Teach First participants.
Quotes from both teachers and the students nominating them are available: please contact Julia Paolitto in the Oxford University Press Office on 01865 280 531 or julia.paolitto@admin.ox.ac.uk