'Inspirational' Northampton College lecturer nominated by students for top national award

A lecturer at Northampton College is in line to win a prestigious teaching award after being nominated by students, parents and colleagues.
Neil Tobin, lecturer at Northampton CollegeNeil Tobin, lecturer at Northampton College
Neil Tobin, lecturer at Northampton College

Neil Tobin is to attend the grand finale of the Pearson Teaching Awards, hosted by actor and comedian Hugh Dennis and screened on BBC2.

His nomination follows the receipt of a Silver Teaching Award earlier this year for his exceptional contribution to the teaching profession.

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On Sunday, October 23, Neil will attend a glittering awards ceremony at The Guildhall in London where he will find out if he has won a prestigious UK Pearson Teaching Award, also known as a Gold Plato Award. Neil was nominated for the accolade by pupils, parents and colleagues in the Northampton College community.

The ceremony, hosted by star of ‘Outnumbered’ and ‘Mock the Week’ Hugh Dennis, and due to be broadcast on BBC2 on 30 October, is an annual event that celebrates the very best of the UK’s teaching profession. It will see 10 Gold Plato awards handed out across categories such as Excellence in Special Needs Education and Lifetime Achievement.

Back in June of this year, Neil was recognised for his exceptional contribution to the teaching profession as one of just 52 Silver Teaching Award winners in the UK, winning his award in the category The Award for FE Lecturer of the Year.

Neil has worked at Northampton College for 10 years and is described by many of his students as the ‘the best teacher they have ever had’. Neil is described as ‘an inspiration for students and colleagues alike.’

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He prides himself on helping students in and out of the classroom and spends hours of his own time securing prestigious work placements and supporting those who wish to go university.

He utilises his exceptional links with employers to help secure job opportunities for his students, who have taken to social media in their hundreds to praise the teacher. Feedback posted on Facebook and Twitter included words of thanks, with many students crediting Neil with helping their dreams of a career in engineering to come true.

The Pearson Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and teaching. Founded in 1999 by Lord Puttnam, they recognise the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they teach.

Actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, host of this year’s BBC Classroom Heroes said: “I am genuinely proud and honoured to be hosting this year’s ceremony. The inspiration and support of my fantastic teachers got me to where I am today, and I look forward to joining in and celebrating other teachers’ incredible achievements as well.”

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Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: “A huge congratulations to the 2016 Teaching Award winners. Pearson is so proud to sponsor this celebration - great teaching makes the biggest difference to a child’s education and it’s incredibly important that we take this moment each year to recognise that.”

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