Recognition for teachers who inspired their students to win places at Oxford University

The teachers were nominated for Oxford’s Inspirational Teacher Awards by the students they inspired, all of whom attended state schools and colleges with a limited tradition of sending pupils to Oxford and are now first year undergraduates there. 

Esther Odejimi, for instance, nominated Nimmy Sidhu, head of science at Oaks Park High School Sixth Form in Enfield.

“I would have nominated two teachers if I could have, because there were really two people who supported me all the way through my student career to Oxford,” said Esther, who is now studying theology at Pembroke College.

“Ms Sidhu and Mr (Craig) Foster backed me every step of the way but Mr Foster died suddenly after a short battle with cancer the day before I received my A level results. When applying to Oxford University was just a thought, Ms Sidhu was one of the people that instilled the vision within me and continually reassured me that I was academically adequate to thrive at an institution like this, despite my socio-economic background.”