Mr Andrews wins Silver Award in Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category 

Today, on national Thank a Teacher Day, in a whole-school celebratory assembly, Middlestown Primary Academy’s Mrs Young surprised Mr Andrews with the news that he has been named as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners across the country.   

This significant achievement is in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category for his outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children he works with every day and we couldn’t be prouder.  

Mr Andrews is currently in his third year of teaching and teaches in Year 3. He is the English leader across the whole primary school, and he oversees the school council. He uses a range of strategies to engage and enthuse children about their learning, including drama and IT. Colleagues report that listening to him reading a story is ‘an experience in itself’.   

Mr Andrews immerses the children in their learning through practical, memorable activities and infectious enthusiasm. He has an open mindset towards all aspects of school life, and this motivates his colleagues too. He has a willingness to give anything a go, to go above and beyond, ensure that he’s viewed as a fantastic role model to others and as an asset to Middlestown Primary Academy.   

As a Silver Award winner, he has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year. These once in a lifetime achievements will be broadcast on the BBC’s The One Show as part of a week-long celebration of teaching, which sees famous faces honour award winners every night in the run up to the ceremony. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school staff who have worked wonders to bring together their local communities despite the challenges of the past few years.   

The Silver Award winners are being honoured as part of the wider celebrations for national ‘Thank a Teacher Day’, bringing together everyone across the country to celebrate the schools and colleges at the heart of our communities.   

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 23rd year of celebrating our school teaching staff across the UK.   

Sharon Hague, Managing Director of Schools at Pearson UK, said:  “Congratulations to today’s Silver Award winners on their incredible achievement, they should all feel very proud of themselves. And thank you to all the incredible educators and support staff across this country who really do make our schools and colleges so special. I am delighted that we can take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate all that you do for us.”   

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Congratulations to Jack Andrews on this incredible achievement, and for the hard work and dedication which led up to it. Winning this award is impressive, well-deserved and shows Jack’s commitment to helping children achieve their full potential.” 

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said:  “For so many of us, it was someone at school who changed our lives, was at our side through hard and difficult times, who lifted us up when we were down, helped us find our voice, gave us confidence when we needed it most, and set us on a path that we have followed ever since.   

“No matter who we are, school has touched our lives and played a central role in our childhoods. School is about so much more than learning, and we see that now more than ever before. Schools really are the beating heart of our communities. Every person that cares for our children in schools should be celebrated loud and clear on Thank A Teacher Day 2022.”