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Recognition for teachers who inspire their students to Oxford

Higher education
Ten inspirational teachers have been honoured for their work in encouraging and supporting their pupils to win places at Oxford University.

Ten inspirational teachers have been honoured for their work in encouraging and supporting their pupils to win places at Oxford University.

The teachers were nominated for the university’s Inspirational Teachers Awards by the students they inspired.

The youngsters all attended state schools and colleges with a limited history and tradition of sending pupils to Oxford and are now first year undergraduates there.

Professor Andrew Hamilton, Oxford University’s vice-chancellor, presented the teachers with their awards at a special ceremony at St Hugh’s College earlier this month.

Paying tribute to their work, Prof Hamilton said: “A good teacher can be absolutely vital 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.”

Teacher Oliver Baggaley was nominated for his award by Kenny Dada, one of his former pupils at Westfield Academy in Watford. 

“Mr Baggaley was really instrumental in pushing me to get that higher mark and challenging me to aim higher,” said Kenny, who is now a first year modern languages student at Pembroke College, Oxford. 

“He didn’t let me be complacent at all. He said ‘now you’ve got that place you need to work for it’. I had year 7s coming up to me in the corridor saying ‘we want to apply to Oxford now’.” 

This year’s winners are:

  • Oliver Baggaley, Westfield Academy, Watford.

  • Theresa Ball, Barnhill Community High School, Hayes.

  • Mary Bradford, Sir John Leman High School, Beccles.

  • Karen Davies, Hinchley Wood School, Esher.

  • Andrea Lucas, The Holy Cross School, New Malden.

  • Stephanie Lucas, St Joseph’s School, Port Talbot.

  • Victoria Mandizha, Brentford School for Girls, Brentford.

  • Carole Slade, Notre Dame RC Secondary School, Plymouth.

  • Keith Wood, Gosforth Academy, Newcastle upon Tyne.

  • Jayne Wright, Brigshaw High School, West Yorkshire.

 

CAPTION: Inspiration: Prof Andrew Hamilton, Oxford vice-chancellor, chats to student Kenny Dada who nominated teacher Oliver Baggaley for an Inspirational Teacher award