2017 Britain's Classroom Heroes

It's the biggest night of the year

-for the UK's teaching profession.

-Yes, the best of the best

are gathering here in London's Docklands,

and over the next hour, we'll celebrate the achievements

of the people we trust our children with every day.

Welcome to Britain's Classroom Heroes 2017.

It's great to be here to honour

the most important people in our society.

I think it's great that the teachers can dress up,

put on the glitz and glamour, and come to such an event.

A teacher is not just teaching a child to count, or to read,

they are a trustee, they are a confidant,

they are a nurse, they are a friend.

If a teacher spots something in you,

it's just that little glimmer of hope

that makes a huge difference to the direction you take.

For me, certainly, teachers were really influential in my life.

They have such a big impact on so many youngsters,

I don't think they really realise it.

Because they're such an unsung bunch, I think this is terrific,

just a little pat on the back, just to say,

"We know what you do, well done, thank you very much."

Good evening, and a very warm welcome to the East Wintergarden,

here in the heart of Canary Wharf,

for the Pearson Teaching Awards 2017.

This evening, we're celebrating the people who inspire,

motivate and challenge young people to achieve their very best.

It's a thrill to welcome the UK's finest headteachers, school teams,

classroom assistants, all of whom have gone beyond the syllabus,

and can rightly be described as Britain's Classroom Heroes.

My name is Naga Munchetty,

I'm delighted to be with you for this very special occasion.

And I'm joined by someone you'll know from Countryfile

and Sunday Morning Live.

He's going to be mingling with the teachers,

the stars of tonight's show.

It's Sean Fletcher. APPLAUSE

Naga, I am so pleased to be here this evening.

I can certainly remember being a mischievous nine-year-old

when my geography teacher - and he was also my PE teacher -

Mr Trow, told me to pull my finger out,

and taught me to believe I could do anything if I worked hard.

Mr Trow, you get my nomination, but I'm a bit biased.

Every teacher here this evening

has been nominated for an award by their fellow colleagues,

or by their students,

which in itself is a huge endorsement

of the work they do day in, day out.

From the original nominations,

a panel of judges has travelled

the length and breadth of the country

to select the category winners.

I'll be talking to some of the winners

and catching a few words with two of the judges

who made those difficult decisions.

Sean, thanks very much.

And thank you to all of the nominees

for the amazing work you do.

Let's see how the judges called it, then,

as we announce the very first award of the evening -

Head Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School.

Who better to present the award

than someone who upholds the discipline on the dance floor

every Saturday night?

She's quickstepped it all the way

from the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom -

it's head judge Shirley Ballas.

APPLAUSE

I was one of the Strictly Class of 2016 -

I wasn't very good -

and know that every dancer who comes onto the show

benefits from having a great teacher,

and Shirley, great teachers -

they make a massive difference, don't they?

They certainly do. You know, every week,

we're watching the professionals teach the students on Strictly,

and I'm always in awe of the fact

that they can bring everything together just in a few days.

Now, you're obviously someone who learns well

but must have had some inspirational teachers.

You've been World and British Latin champion.

What were those teachers like?

Well, one teacher that stands out in my mind

was a lady called Margaret Redmond,

and when I was 11 years old and I came from a housing estate,

we didn't have anything,

and she wasn't only a great teacher

but she was extremely positive about any goal you set.

You can always reach your dreams,

it doesn't matter where you're from, or what background you have.

So, she was very inspirational in my career.

Shirley, if I could ask you to announce

the name of the Head Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School.

OK, here we go.

The award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School

goes to...

..Maire Thompson from Malone Integrated College in Belfast.

APPLAUSE

SEAN: Maire Thompson has been

Principal of Malone Integrated College in Belfast since 2014.

Morning, Princess.

-OFF-SCREEN:

-I would know most of the students by name.

For me, I need to know their names,

because they need to have a relationship with me,

and with the other staff.

Morning, Rebecca. Morning, Paul.

-OFF-SCREEN:

-For me, in this school,

everything is underpinned by relationships.

Relationships with parents, with community,

with students, with staff.

Here, you can talk to the teachers and it's sort of, like,

they're friendly. You know what I mean?

They sort of... They make you feel more at home.

And I'm not even just saying that, I actually feel that way.

Malone integrated College opened in 1997

to cater for students from south and west Belfast,

from across the political divide.

This school is for all children,

irrespective of your religious belief,

your social background, your sexual orientation,

and irrespective of your ability.

We have a very vibrant, inclusive learning environment.

Anybody and everybody's welcome.

The school community reflects

Northern Ireland's growing cultural diversity.

-OFF-SCREEN:

-It's just become a very multicultural school,

and I think it works very well.

We now have very successful children who came,

who didn't speak English,

who are now doing very well in their GCSEs and A-levels.

INDISTINCT

When Miss Thompson was appointed Principal in 2014,

the school was underperforming.

At one stage, I would argue

that the school potentially didn't have the best reputation.

We were at the bottom of the league tables, which...which hurt.

Maire immediately sprung into action.

Her first priority was, obviously,

to involve the entire school community

in a process of school improvement.

She talked about relentless enthusiasm and optimism,

and the first time that I saw it

was coming in for the A-level results four years ago.

And results weren't good and Maire just looked at me

and said, "That's the last time these results will be this low."

Genuinely thank all of the staff for all of their hard work.

We have had the best set of results in the school

over the last ten years.

Really, in four years, the school's been transformed,

so there's a very good atmosphere around the school.

We've got a good reputation in the community.

Maire Thompson is probably the most dynamic and visionary leader

who I've ever had the privilege of meeting and working with.

She takes an interest in every single one of her pupils,

and she will move mountains if necessary

to make sure that every child

gets the best education that's available to them.

All right, do you know where you're going?

When I first came here,

I used to be ashamed to say I was from Malone College,

but as the years have went on, and things have changed,

I've really enjoyed myself and I'm proud to say that I'm from here.

Miss Thompson, I love her!

I'm not even just saying - I really do, I love her!

She will come over at, like, lunch, and, like,

she'll just talk away to me, and she'll talk away to everybody,

and we just sit there and just talk for ages.

When I leave school, I want to be a mechanic,

and I told this to Miss Thompson,

and she was just like, "You go on," she's like, "You go, girl!"

She actually kept saying that.

I talk about relentless optimism for our young people.

I want our children to leave here decent human beings,

and also very valuable members and contributors to society,

of course with a good job, too!

APPLAUSE

Let's welcome to the stage Maire Thompson.

-It's very heavy.

-Oh, thanks, I'm delighted!

Winning this award,

I can't imagine what it means to the school and your pupils.

The school, the families, the parents, my own family,

all the people who've been very kind with their time to me,

and to the school, I'm sure will be delighted,

and I'm sure that it represents just more than me.

Marks out of ten for that award?

Well, ten for the school.

Lovely sentiment. Thank you very, very much.

Congratulations.

And, Shirley Ballas, thank you very much, as well.

Now, this next award

is for Head Teacher of the Year in a Primary School.

Now, the recipient is someone who is determined to provide his students

with the best possible start in life.

Actress Sunetra Sarker,

best known for playing the role of Dr Zoe Hanna in Casualty,

recently took a trip home to Liverpool to find out more.

Well, it's been quite a few years

since I've been stood outside a school in Liverpool,

but I did enjoy it when I did.

Back in the day, when I was working in Brookside,

and also being a schoolgirl,

I remember the teachers being amazing -

supporting me, encouraging me,

and making me feel like I wasn't making any bad decisions,

which is why I'm really happy today to be talking to a very special man,

who's encouraging some pupils in Liverpool.

The headteacher of the school is Mr Naik.

And he has a beard.

He always comes in looking smart.

Tall.

He is a top bloke.

-Morning!

-Morning.

Hope School is a special school

for pupils with social, emotional, and mental-health difficulties.

Come on, then, let's sign in and get ourselves ready,

have some breakfast, yeah?

Since opening its doors in 2002,

it's been led by headteacher Mr Rohit Naik.

Nice to see you. Good lad!

Hope School represents to me, that, you know,

there's always hope for everybody, and there's always hope for change,

and change is something that we have to embrace.

What we do now will give us hope for the future.

That's my philosophy.

Oh, did you get my breakfast for me, Emmanuel?

-OFF-SCREEN:

-Children will not be excluded for whatever reason.

We will use other agencies to support undesirable behaviour,

but we resolve that

and they come back the next day and they carry on learning.

Every day is a fresh day for them.

He's very visible within the school.

Very seldom you see him in his office.

He is out there giving that support to people.

Everybody is motivated by him.

Mr Naik as a headteacher is not scared to change.

He is not scared of developing people,

pushing people to deliver the best that they can for the children,

and for themselves.

Just follow me, boys.

-SUNETRA:

-The school aims to prepare students for mainstream education -

a goal that has been achieved by several former pupils.

I wouldn't be in sixth form now without Hope and Mr Naik.

What things do you have to look out for on the...?

Tony is Asperger's,

and come to Hope School because he went to nine or ten other schools,

and, erm, he couldn't be in any other school,

cos they used to kick him out.

And then he come here and now he's in mainstream school.

Well done, Thomas, that's excellent.

-TONY:

-He's a real person and he cared about everyone

and he just wanted to make sure that we were doing well in school

and doing well later on in life.

I've got hold of you, so you've got nothing to worry about.

As a parent, it felt amazing to have people

that accepted Tony for who he was, and helped him.

When you have got a child who has got problems,

people turn their back on them.

People shout at them all the time.

And then he came to this school and they, like, opened the door.

Yes, well done. That's excellent!

Next year I might be able to go back to mainstream school

because of Mr Naik.

He thinks I can do and be anything I want when I am older,

because he believes in me.

When I say it's too hard he'll always say if I try, I can.

He thinks that every pupil in the school can,

no matter what their problems.

Coming to school every morning is a delight for me.

That is true, by the way!

Well, Mr Naik'll certainly be delighted

he came into school today.

He's out on the playground at the moment,

totally unaware that we are about to surprise him.

So, Bailey, if you could pass that to me when I give you the nod.

Yeah? Let's go this way.

Sorry to interrupt. Can I make a little class announcement?

Yes, of course. Yes, yes.

Hello, kids. Hi, I'm Sunetra,

and I'm here today because I've got a very special job.

I've been told about all the great work that Mr Naik, here, has done

with you pupils, and the teachers,

and it is a privilege to let you all know

that the winner of this year's

Primary School Head Teacher of the Year 2017

goes to Mr Rohit Naik.

CHILDREN CHEER

-Thank you very much. I'm flattered.

-Congratulations.

Is he really the best headteacher in the world?

-Yes.

-I thought so.

APPLAUSE

Huge congratulations to Rohit Naik.

You are the best headteacher in the world

and you are a top bloke, according to your pupils.

It must have been a wonderful surprise

to get that award in the playground.

It was a fantastic surprise that anybody would want.

It was great. Fantastic.

Your school is called Hope School. And that's so fitting, isn't it?

Because you offer so much hope to so many young people.

What drives you on every day?

I love going to school.

It's like a family. It's a small community.

These children have special needs, but there's hope for them all over.

We all have special needs to a certain extent.

And I don't give up on any of them.

It's fantastic to see the work you do.

-Congratulations on a well-deserved award.

-Thank you.

We now come to the award for

Excellence In Special Needs Education.

To announce the winner, I'm delighted to welcome an actor

who is no stranger to award ceremonies.

She's received an Emmy and Bafta

during the course of a rather distinguished career.

She's also done a bit of teaching in her time,

notably using rap music to introduce students to Shakespeare.

For the past six years she's graced our screens

as Sister Julienne in the hugely popular Call The Midwife.

Please welcome Jenny Agutter.

APPLAUSE

I'm intrigued to know more about your teaching methods.

Well, the teaching methods were basically working with some children

and deciding that perhaps one could take the iambic pentameter

and change it into something else.

We changed into rap and we were doing Romeo and Juliet.

So it went something like...

# This is a story you will never forget

# About the Montagues and the Capulets

# They lived on the streets of Verona

# But Romeo was a bit of a loner

# He fell in love with Juliet

# The problem was she was a Capulet. #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Please will you announce the name of the winner?

Yes.

The award for Excellence In Special Needs Education goes to...

..Sue Jay from Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School in West Sussex

caters for pupils with severe or complex learning needs.

Who have we got on this glorious Monday morning?

At the heart of school life is an emphasis on performing arts.

Performing arts at QEII is really important.

It plays a major part in everything we do, really.

Wiggle!

And Sue Jay is the teacher in charge.

Music is the key.

Everybody loves music.

But in a school like this it is a way of engaging the students.

Then you build on that.

MUSIC: Everybody by the Backstreet Boys

The senior students are rehearsing their take

on Shakespeare's The Merry Wives Of Windsor.

# Tonight! #

-I will tell them both I love them.

-ALL: Ooh!

Shakespeare does grip our children.

There are lines that our students

will remember the first time I give them,

and five years later they can still tell you what they are.

Out, damn spot! Out, I say!

Look, Miranda, the ship!

They are the ones who tried to kill us!

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?

Pull a face.

She almost gets into the soul of the child

and she sees what that youngster has to offer

and then she finds a way to manipulate whatever she's doing,

however she's teaching, whatever she is performing,

and brings that child out into the starlight.

-Bigger.

-Blehh!

That's the one.

You just see... I don't know. There's a relaxation goes on.

The whole body is engaging.

You put them in front of an audience

and then that whole engagement goes up another level.

It's about their self-worth.

You can just see that it's going up.

Right, stand where you are and look around.

What do you think I'm going to say?

Spacing.

It's horrific!

Sometimes she has to be a bit strict to get it right.

Right, start again.

And if we get it right she has her happy face.

Good.

Every student in the school

has an ability to participate in the creative arts.

We'll work on the French accent, shall we?

I want every child to reach their personal full ability

and more.

I set the bar higher every time I work with a student.

Right, that's it.

Could you put your chairs away, please?

Sue Jay is, like, very friendly and very kind.

She just gives you the confidence to do it.

Everyone in the school is lucky to have her.

Do you love drama?

-Yes.

-Yay!

Well done. Bye.

Bye!

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

A luvvie kiss.

You get a luvvie kiss, as well.

I love a luvvie kiss.

Sue, congratulations.

You seem a little bit happy.

I'm so happy because all the students at school

are going to be celebrating.

And my headteacher down there, Lesley Dyer.

You have to have the belief of your headteacher, don't you?

I have to ask you, where do you get your energy from?

Er, Shredded Wheat.

Other cereals are available...

Jenny, I know you wanted to say something about Sue's achievements.

What is so interesting of course is you say creative arts

are a wonderful place to be able to explore communication with children.

It's not just the performance,

it's what you've done in the care behind that, and the encouragement,

and just bringing those people forward,

and, as you said, to make them able to do the best that they can do.

And that's just a wonderful thing to do for children.

High praise indeed from an Emmy and Bafta award winner.

Jenny Agutter, thank you so much for presenting this award.

And congratulations, Sue, to you.

Now, with so many exceptional teachers nominated this year,

how on earth did the judges decide the winners?

Well, Sean has the answers -

he's with two people who can tell us just that.

I have been joined by Ava Sturridge-Packer and Steve Baker,

two of this year's judges.

Many of the judges are former winners,

so they know what it takes to make the grade, don't they?

They certainly do, but equally there are other judges

who have had a lot of time in education,

and therefore give an input into that.

It's all about recognising that extra mile that teachers do.

We have data - Sats, league tables, and Ofsted -

but actually what we celebrate

is doing the very best for the children in a wholesome way.

Steve, tell me about the standard this year.

It's incredible. Every year, the standard is so, so high.

But somehow I'm always surprised, because the bar seems to go up

every single year and this year has been no different.

We are just two members of a very large volunteer group of judges

who have the privilege and the honour to go and visit schools

right across the country to celebrate the best in education.

Thank you very much indeed, both of you.

Thank you, Sean.

We now turn to the award for Teacher of the Year In A Secondary School.

Frankly, if I had to walk into a classroom full of teenagers

it would frighten the life out of me.

So to present this award

we've asked someone who doesn't see it as daunting as all that.

She makes time in her busy schedule

to work with drama students in secondary school.

She's known to us as Denise Fox,

a character she's played on EastEnders for more than a decade.

Let's welcome Diane Parish.

I believe a fellow EastEnders actor

was responsible for getting you involved with students.

Rudolph Walker, he has the Rudolph Walker Foundation,

where he gets actors to go into schools and mentor kids.

And we encourage them to write their own pieces.

So they write it themselves, they direct it themselves.

We go in and encourage them. But from our point of view,

them meeting us means that they can see an end to the story.

They are our future. That's what this is all about

and if we don't put back, what do we get out?

OK. And the award for the Teacher of the Year In A Secondary School

goes to...

..Luisa Martin-Thomas from Tonypandy Community College.

Tonypandy, a South Wales Valleys town

that has borne its fair share of economic hardship.

But on the corridors of the community college

there is a performing-arts teacher enriching the lives of her students.

She's like a whirlwind.

-Good morning.

-You hear her before you see her.

Everywhere in the college you'll hear her heels on the corridor,

or her keys, or her walkie-talkie.

The scenery is going to drop and you are going to duck.

Fly, man! Fly, man!

Rats!

Stage right. Right!

She is really funny. She's mad, she is.

And cwtch up nice and tight.

And if I say, stage left... Not too close, Ashley.

If you go the extra mile she will go the extra mile with you,

or even further. That's why she's great.

OK, our next exercise now is putting that part into practice.

I've been teaching 16 years.

Bringing out the best in all students

has been the driving force to anything that I've implemented.

I first met Luisa when I came to the school

12 years ago as a trainee teacher.

And immediately I was just totally blown away by her.

We're going to give a curtsy. Three, two, one.

Morgan, the foot in a curtsy goes behind.

-Right, sorry.

-Thank you.

Everything that she said, her own practice, what she talked about -

she lived and breathed that drama department.

I truly believe I am the teacher I am because of her.

Not only an innovative practitioner in the arts,

Mrs Martin-Thomas also champions the use of mindfulness techniques

to help staff and students manage life in and out of the classroom.

Just begin to notice now how you're feeling.

Without Mrs Martin-Thomas

I don't think I'd be where I am at the moment,

in college and playing high-level rugby for rugby league.

While being in school I didn't have the best time.

I was quite naughty. I got excluded. Nearly expelled.

But Miss Martin-Thomas helped me through that spell

with mindfulness and calmness, everything like that.

She has really been a big part of my life, I'd like to say.

# Somewhere over the rainbow.... #

She's also had a big part to play in launching the careers of students,

like that of TV and West End star Sophie Evans.

She made an impact straight from the off.

To have a teacher that believed in me

was really special, and she did really push me,

so that tough love that made me really want it came from her.

And she's been a huge support to the current British Youth Champion boxer

and Commonwealth medallist Rhys Edwards.

This year I have had a really good year.

She has been in my corner.

She has helped me with my confidence.

She has sponsored my gym

so she has been awesome and excellent with everything.

She's not a bad boxer!

She's got a good right hand, that's about it.

Yes.

I have strived to support the students,

to help them on their journeys in life,

to make them go on to be anything that they want to be.

Fantastic. OK, that's brilliant.

Go for it. Go for it.

To hear what they're saying just fills me with confidence

that maybe it is just working.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Luisa, we've seen in that film

you have so much energy, so much passion.

Where do you get it from?

My mum and dad.

But also they would probably say that when Luisa was little,

she was trouble unless she was busy,

so that's put into practice within my teaching career.

Well, we do have one more surprise for you.

You may be wondering, perhaps, where your award is.

What we thought we would do is ask one of your former pupils

to present it to you.

Finalist in the television show Over The Rainbow,

currently performing the role of Glinda in Wicked in the West End,

-you know who it is. Who is it?

-It's my Sophie Evans.

You deserve it, you deserve it.

Sophie, you said in the film there that Luisa pushed you.

-She did!

-She pushed you, how did she push you?

-She really did

and it really helped! Because I'm now doing what I love

and a lot of it is down to this little lady.

And this little lady provides

a lot of support for your career today, even.

-She does! She is I think coming to the show...

-On Wednesday.

..Wicked on Wednesday, bringing about...

-61 pupils.

-61 pupils, so I've told the company manager.

He's very happy, so you are going to have to keep that up now. But, no,

you're just a fantastic role model to everybody

and being my drama teacher, I was very lucky

because you really gave me that platform. Thank you.

Next we recognise the use of technology in the classroom.

In a world where gadgets are ever-present in our daily lives,

teachers are constantly looking for innovative ways

to implement the use of technology.

Now, to announce the winner is a presenter and author, Rick Edwards.

APPLAUSE

I understand you fancy yourself as a bit of a teacher.

I mean, I wouldn't say that exactly.

I love maths and I love science

and my best friend is a maths teacher

and I've been to previous schools of his and done some assemblies

and kind of helped out in maths classes.

Very much enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that I could actually do it.

I find it petrifying, being up in front of a room of students.

People think, "Oh, well, you're a presenter.

"You're on television programmes."

It is very different standing up in front of an assembly, isn't it?

It's totally different, because the thing about TV, as you well know,

is it's quite easy because there is a team of people

trying to make you look good.

When you're doing an assembly, it's just you.

It's very exposing.

And so when you see teachers give incredible assemblies,

it's really just kind of awe-inspiring.

We never stop learning, do we?

So you've just released a book about science in film. Tell us about it.

Yes, I have, because, as I say, I love science.

I've been doing a science podcast for a little while

and so we've written a book of it. It's called Science(ish).

-Science(ish)?

-Science(ish), yeah.

So I've written it with my friend who is a quantum physicist,

so he brings the science and then I bring the ish.

LAUGHTER

Well, could you bring your ish to the podium, please?

-Yes, I can!

-And tell us who's won this award.

My ish is very excited.

So, the award for the Outstanding Use of Technology in Education

goes to...

Lisa Rees-Renshaw from Ysgol Y Deri in Penarth.

Find a job you like and you'll never have to go to work again.

And that's exactly how I feel.

If you're presented with a challenge or a child that needs something,

it's working that out, and then when you see the end result

and you've been part of that, that's not work.

A specialist teacher at Ysgol Y Deri

in the Welsh seaside town of Penarth,

a school that caters for a wide and diverse range

of differently abled students,

Lisa Rees-Renshaw has introduced her pupils

to technologies that have changed their lives.

Shall we read The Gruffalo together?

Reuben was diagnosed with autism just before his third birthday

and he's currently nonverbal.

He was struggling to communicate his needs, his wants, his feelings.

In the last three months, Lisa's changed Reuben's world.

-COMPUTER:

-I want to read The Gruffalo.

Turn the page.

Turn the page, OK.

He has now got a voice.

She's taught him how to read,

she's taught him how to tell me what he wants.

-Turn the page.

-You want me to turn the page?

And she's taught him to tell us goodnight, good morning,

that he loves us, and it's magical to watch.

It really is.

Create e-mail.

And send one to your dad?

Dad.

Lisa's helped me to use a computer,

to use e-mail.

Ask a question - are you OK?

-Yeah, I'll say that.

-Yeah. Sounds good.

-Are you OK?

-He's going to find it funny.

-Send.

It makes me happy because it gives me confidence.

Congratulations - your e-mail has been sent.

My family are proud of me using a computer.

Yeah.

One of the major devices in Lisa's toolbox

is the eye-gaze technology

which allows her pupils to control a computer using only their eyes.

-COMPUTER:

-I need a drink, please.

Well done, Luke. Really, really good, well done.

Lisa has made communicating easier for me.

Lisa has made it easier for me

to talk to people and join in with lessons.

Hello, Felix.

Always looking to think outside the box,

Lisa has found inventive ways of bringing families together.

Lisa found out that my husband Dan could play the guitar

and she said, "Why don't we have almost like a band,

"put a band together, you know? The four of you."

Yeah, you did brilliantly on this the other day, didn't you?

Felix started playing the guitar with the eye gaze, with his eyes,

and it was a moment I'll never forget

because it just felt like we're an actual family.

Good playing, Felix.

Felix was able to do something which we were all doing -

he was playing the guitar, Dan was playing the guitar

and I was probably just clapping and crying, I guess.

It was just an amazing moment to see,

a family together doing something that they should be doing,

and all it took was that piece of technology

to allow that little boy to be as independent as possible

and to play with his family.

To me, that is a miracle,

and when we've had so many people say, he's not going to do this,

he won't do that, when you see Felix

doing these things which I thought he'd never do,

it makes it a bit exciting

just to see, "Well, I wonder what he can do next."

She's an amazing human being

and probably one of the most positive people I've ever met.

Lisa is my friend and she helps a lot.

I think Lisa is very kind and caring.

Every single time that I see that little boy of mine run off happy,

I think to myself, "Thank you, Lisa." Every single time.

Thank you, Lisa. Thank you, Lisa. Thank you, Lisa.

Thank you, Lisa, for helping me.

Now I know how to use a computer.

Thank you very much.

You were awesome, sunshine!

How confident were you speaking then?

-What?

-I was sitting listening.

-I've done it!

-You did - you were awesome.

You OK?

Once I pull myself together, I will be.

I tell you what, watching that film there,

very few people would have had a dry eye in the house.

I wasn't expecting you to be the one crying, though.

I'm OK until I see it like that.

It's just... Our school is about showing what the children can do

and I hope that did show what they can do,

and they want to have their voices heard.

It's an amazing place to work.

If you've never been in a special school, please go,

because they are the most awesome places

full of the most awesome children you'll ever meet.

We wouldn't be up here

if it wasn't for every single member of staff in that school,

from the teachers, LSAs, all the therapists that work there,

the head, who constantly supports us

and constantly reminds me of how much money I spend on technology!

But I'm hoping that this is just showing

what we can do with that technology.

Well, this is what this award is about,

it's about technology and how you've used it

and how you can change lives now.

You can change families' lives.

You can, you can change lives, and that's...

When you see a parent saying that their child has told them

that they love them for the first time, nothing can match that.

APPLAUSE

Ladies and gentlemen, Lisa Rees-Renshaw.

The next award is for

Further Education Team or Lecturer of the Year.

For many young people,

education is about getting hands-on experience

and then preparing them for their chosen career.

The recipients of this year's award have certainly done that,

so we sent presenter and Celebrity MasterChef's reigning champion

Angellica Bell to find out more.

I'm here at Redbridge College in Romford

where they're teaching the next generation of chefs

and catering professionals.

From sous chefs to front of house,

the teaching staff here are going the extra mile

to prepare their students for a career in the food industry.

Let's find out what makes this particular team so special.

Rouge Chef is a learning company

run by the staff and students of the catering and hospitality department

at Redbridge College in Romford, Essex.

By the time they get to the end of the course,

not only have they got a qualification - almost by default,

they've got a qualification -

but what they really know

is how to work in the catering industry.

The busy restaurant is the perfect place for students aged 16 and over

to gain professional experience whilst still at college.

We are going to be busy today. We're hoping for a full restaurant.

It puts the students under a bit of pressure.

It's quick service, getting in, getting out,

but it's got to be done nicely.

The head chefs make sure the food goes out nice,

I'm here to make sure that the chef's safe,

the kitchen's safe and everybody's doing a good job.

This is what we've got for lunch today.

As well as chefs, Rouge also trains front-of-house staff.

What we try to do here is what they do in industry, so it's real.

You know, so when they go out into the big wide world,

then there's not much of a shock.

That's it - lovely. And you do the same with that one.

So, we're going to make some sandwiches.

Let's get a move on, then, yeah?

Apart from cooking for the restaurant,

which we open at 12 o'clock, we've got a hospitality function

on today and we've got ten people

and they have ordered sandwiches

and they've got to have the sandwiches ready in 15 minutes.

This is all part of catering, it's the bread-and-butter, as we call it.

They have to make sandwiches to make the profit.

They understand that, so that the profit helps the department.

Well done - I like your knife skills.

I like your claw.

Away from the pressures of the public restaurant,

students learn advanced techniques in the skills kitchen.

That's not too bad at all.

These are the foundations to all chefs.

So you start with the basics

and build it and build it so when they leave us,

they're fully equipped for the industry.

Another burger, two more chicken.

Back in the restaurant, the orders are coming in thick and fast.

You can't teach this experience.

The only way you can do this is by doing it.

They can learn as much as they like out in the classroom.

Until they come in here, they don't feel that pressure,

because it's the adrenaline rush that makes a chef.

It all to do with confidence, building confidence

and being part of a good team.

You know, that's something that we pride ourselves on,

just trying to get students to be the best that they can be

regardless of their background.

The feedback that we're getting from employers is amazing.

We're not preparing them for work - they're in work.

We all have our own attributes

and I think we all understand each other's strengths,

and all the strengths build together and come to a fantastic opportunity

for the students to learn from everybody.

All of them work together as a team.

They're doing what they love and you can see that from them.

"We're chefs, we're running a business, this is what we do.

"This is how we do it."

It's just a perfect team, the way I can see it.

And I really enjoy working with these guys, as well.

It's almost lunchtime, so things are about to get extremely busy,

but I do think there's enough time

for me to nip into the kitchen to surprise the team.

-Hello, hello, hello.

-Hello.

SQUEALING

-Oh, my God!

-Hello!

Hello!

-How are you?

-I'm fine, how are you?

-I'm good.

-Oh, my God! Oh, my goodness!

Congratulations to you all.

You have won the gold teaching award

for FE team of the year.

-Whoo! Yes!

-And this is for you.

APPLAUSE

Oh, wow. Brilliant!

Yay!

Well, I'm here with the catering and hospitality team

at Redbridge College.

Maurice, you lifted that award like you'd won the World Cup.

Not your average day in the kitchen.

It was brilliant, absolutely unbelievable.

We just didn't expect it at all and I think it's absolutely fantastic

that we've got the opportunity

just to say thanks for all that's gone on, really.

You're preparing students for the professional world.

How important is it that you apply that business-like approach

to everything you do at the college?

We want them to be ready for work, so every day they're at work.

They start... Some of the level threes are in at nine in the morning

and finish at ten at night.

So, that's the way we run it, so it's a professional business, yeah.

And you're here with some of your other team members.

You must be really delighted as a team, Maurice.

It's fantastic. I mean, all these guys, I mean, we all work together.

That's the whole point. It's to encourage students,

to give them confidence and to believe in themselves.

We want to give them professionalism

and that's what it's all about for tomorrow's people.

There's still that twinkle in your eye. You haven't won the World Cup,

but you have won this award. Congratulations, it's well-deserved.

-Thanks very much.

-Thank you.

Now, we've almost arrived at the final award of the evening,

the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, but before that,

we have a musical treat for you.

To have one extraordinary musician in the family, well,

that's pretty special.

To have seven - well, it's remarkable.

And just last year, 17-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason

triumphed in BBC Young Musician.

This evening, he's here with his elder brother and five sisters.

The youngest of the children is just eight years old,

the eldest is at the ripe old age of 21.

They really are something very, very special.

Let's give them a big, warm welcome.

The Kanneh-Masons.

APPLAUSE

APPLAUSE

Well, wasn't that fantastic?

The Kanneh-Masons.

Absolutely amazing. I used to play the violin,

and I feel a little bit out of my depth at the moment, I have to say.

Now, how long have you been playing together?

It can't be that long, because some of you look very young!

Yes, well, in terms of all seven of us, actually only a few months,

as Mariatu started the cello quite recently.

So she's a... She's a new member.

APPLAUSE

Now, Sheku, it's been quite a year, hasn't it, since you won

BBC Young Musician? Tell us what you've been up to.

Has your world turned upside down?

Yeah, definitely. Recently,

I was lucky enough to play at the BBC Proms for my first time.

So that was really exciting.

Next month, I'm recording for my first album,

which I've been working towards for quite a while, so...

APPLAUSE

Now let's bring this back to schools and teachers,

because your school played a big role

in all your development, didn't it?

And you've put something back, as well, haven't you, to your school?

Yeah, I mean, at my school in Nottingham, Trinity School,

music was always kind of at the heart

of what happened at the school. And, recently,

I was heartbroken to hear that they weren't able to continue to fund the

cello teaching there and so I made a donation to kind of help them

do the great work that they do at that school. So, yeah...

Fantastic, isn't it?

I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more about the Kanneh-Masons

in the years to come. Thank you all very much. Amazing.

We've now come to the final award of the evening.

Becoming a teacher means that you invest more than just your time -

you invest emotionally, too.

And for one special person in the auditorium tonight,

teaching is certainly more than just a job - it's a lifestyle.

To present the Lifetime Achievement Award,

please welcome an actor who last year appeared in one of the most

anticipated films of 2016, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

And, if that wasn't enough,

he also starred in the critically acclaimed drama series Line Of Duty.

Please welcome Daniel Mays.

I feel like I've been on detention out the back.

But there we go.

Oh! I understand that you played the role of the teacher on stage.

So who inspired you for that?

I did. I played a teacher at the Royal Court Theatre.

But, like lots of my characters, he was slightly unhinged,

so I don't think he'd be up for an award tonight.

There is one particular teacher, though,

from your days at Rada who was particularly inspirational?

Yes, my teacher, acting teacher at Rada was a lady called Dee Cannon,

who was an absolute inspiration from start to finish.

As soon as I met her, we got on brilliantly well.

She left a sort of indelible mark on me, and I thank her greatly.

-Daniel, would you mind, please...

-Yes.

..letting us know who's won this year's Lifetime Achievement Award?

So the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is...

Lynn Green from Fulwell Infant School Academy in Sunderland.

The school run at Fulwell Infant School Academy near Sunderland

is a lively start to every morning.

Someone who will miss this daily alarm clock

is retiring teacher Lynn Green.

The parents are handing over to you their most precious possessions,

and you get to take their hands at four, bring them into school,

watching them each day,

those magic moments when they learn to write their name,

they're writing numbers,

all things that they couldn't do the day before.

And they actually... The joy on their faces has just been priceless.

You know, I've just enjoyed every single moment of it.

Swing those hips!

Mrs Green wanted us to write about one of our school trips.

We built the sand castles at the beach.

And ate ice lollies and ice creams.

And we brought in our favourite teddies.

There's me with Bongo.

It was a good day.

It was with Mrs Green, who said you can bring your teddy in.

Well, at least we think she did it.

I wonder if anybody can remember what higher...

She loves the children,

she brings along a wealth of knowledge to the job,

and she's a brilliant mentor for anybody who works with her.

She just creates an amazing classroom environment.

She just wants it to be the best it can be.

And she is the best she can be.

I can see a fire.

Can you say that?

ALL: I can see a fire.

Can you tell your partner?

I just think it's so important to help them realise

that if they work hard and practice at something,

anything is achievable.

When someone says to Mrs Green, "I can't do it," she says,

"You can't do it YET."

This year, Lynn has retired from full-time teaching

after nearly four decades in the classroom.

Mrs Green has had a lasting impact on my child,

not just with his learning but with his whole personality, as well.

She really has devoted her life to helping children of all ages and for

them to turn into the best versions of themselves

that they could possibly be.

We think Mrs Green is great, as well.

I like Mrs Green because she is beautiful.

She's the greatest teacher in the world.

I'll never forget the children.

You know, I won't forget them.

And I hope they won't forget me!

-Congratulations, Lynn. Well done.

-Thank you.

-Here you go.

-Now...

-Oh, are you OK?

-Yeah.

-Sure?

-Yeah.

-You know, what's really obvious is that your staff

have a huge amount of respect for you. But also the children think

you're a very, very special lady.

Well, I think they're very special, each and every one of them.

I've enjoyed absolutely every single minute of it.

Each year has been a new adventure.

There are lots of teachers or wannabe teachers out there,

or perhaps people who think, "I'd like to do it, but I'm not sure."

What would you say about the profession?

I think if you've got a passion for teaching and a passion for children

and a belief that every child has a right to success and, you know,

enjoy achievement, then, you know, you've got to go for it.

There's absolutely nothing to beat it.

It's what I've always wanted to do since I was a little girl.

And I'm sure many will miss you. Lynn, congratulations.

Well-deserved. Thank you. Huge round of applause.

Congratulations to Lynn and all the nominees

and the award winners celebrated this evening.

-Yes, it's been...

-It's been amazing, hasn't it?

It's been truly inspiring, hasn't it?

A big thank you to all our guest presenters

who have helped make this such a special evening for everyone.

And also thank you to the event organisers,

the Pearson Teaching Awards.

We've learned a lot about the outstanding work

going on every day around the UK in the teaching profession.

We certainly have. Well, it is time to say goodnight but, before we do,

we will leave you with a final thought -

-what is it that really makes a teacher?

-Goodnight.

A walker, a talker, a corridor stalker.

Good morning.

A leader, director and tactful corrector.

A role model, a tutor, a whizz with computer.

Well done, you.

A natural persuader, a daily first aider.

A reader, a writer, a reports all nighter.

A printer protector, a problem deflector.

A marker, a setter, a sender of letter.

A divider, decider, a spare-pen provider.

A cutter, a sticker, a fair-minded picker.

-A debater...

-..relater...

-..and a smile reinstater.

A pairer, a carer, a lesson preparer.

Yes!

-A defender...

-..a lender...

-..a broker...

-..and mender.

A creator, inventor, inspiring mentor.

A keen-to-find-outer and sometimes a SHOUTER!

A smiler, a filer, a stay-back-a-whiler.

A describer, reviser, trip organiser.

An on-your-sider, and a staff room resider.

That's what makes a teacher.

Other awards presented this evening...

The Rowans Alternative Provision Academy staff team.

It's about improving the life chances of all of our children.

We believe in every one of them and they very rarely let us down.

Sharon Downs of Puddlestone First School in Dorset.

It is the best job in the world,

and I want to say thank you to all my colleagues and all the wonderful

children I've taught over the years.

Michelle Garson.

I'm just speechless. I don't know what to say,

but just thank you so much to everybody,

all my colleagues at Wyndham and my family, as well.

Just thank you so much for all your support.

And my children, as well, who I know will be watching this -

this is for you guys.

Michael Grant.

You've been teaching for...little over a year.

You must be doing something right.

-What's the trick?

-Just showing the kids

that they can do anything they want to, no matter where they come

from or what other people think of them. Just that they can do this,

that they can be the person they want to be.