2023 USW Teacher and Adviser Awards

The winners of the third annual University of South Wales (USW) Teacher and Adviser Awards have been announced.

At an event held at USW’s Pontypridd Campus, the accolades were awarded to teachers and advisers from secondary schools and colleges across the UK who have demonstrated excellence in four categories in the past academic year.

Each award winner received £500 towards CPD and/or staff wellbeing initiatives at their school or college.

Sera Evans, USW’s Associate Director of UK Student Recruitment, said: “We had a fantastic response to the awards, with over 50 nominations. The submissions for the awards show that we have some truly inspiring people across the UK who are working tirelessly to help the next generation to achieve their full potential.

“It was difficult to pick winners in the categories, with little to choose between the nominees.

“Despite there being only one winner in each category and two highly commended, all the entrants were winners, and the pupils and students they support benefit every day from their commitment to excellence. We salute their hard work and dedication.”

In the Outstanding Pastoral and Wellbeing Support category, Ceri Bailey, who teaches at Cardiff and the Vale College, won the award.

The nomination highlighted her dedication to the school and its pupils.

“She teaches with kindness, equality, and respect,” it said. “Ceri is that one teacher that I can always go to if am worried about anything even it’s not school.

“There's so much good to say about her that cannot be into words. She truly deserves this award to show how much we appreciate her teaching and kindness towards students.”

In the Supporting Progression to Higher Education category, Deborah Crockard, who is a Lecturer of Bioscience at Torfaen Learning Zone, Coleg Gwent, was named winner.

“Debbie goes above and beyond,” the nomination said.

“She makes learning experiences so positive and gives her students encouragement and confidence. She changes lives.”

The Digital Innovator of the Year category winner was Olivia Sills, PGCE Lead and Teaching and Learning Coach at Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion, whose creative thinking was highlighted in the nomination.

“Olivia always thinks outside of the box and goes out of her way to support her learners through innovative and effective uses of digital pedagogy,” the nomination said.

“She goes above and beyond, with anything asked of her, and her passion, drive, and openness to explore make her an ideal candidate for this award. We would be lost without her.”

The Most Inspiring Teacher or Adviser of the Year award was won by Timothy Raggett, Criminology and Psychology Teacher at St Davids Catholic College.

“Mr Raggett makes learning fun,” the nomination said.

“He supports his students individually. He takes the time to know us at a personal level and we feel that we can go to him any time we have a problem. He will check up on us if we are having a bad day. Out of all the teachers I have met he is the most caring to his students and when I leave college it is going to be very hard to leave such an amazing teacher.”

There were also special commendations for Bethan Howell, Treorchy Comprehensive School Teacher, and Lucinda Coultas, Science Technician at De Aston School.

_{Photo: Back row - Olivia Sills, Timothy Raggett, Bethan Howell
Front row - Deborah Crockett, Lucinda Coultas
Not present - Ceri Bailey}