About us
We are a charity committed to raising the profile of the outstanding, life-changing work that takes place in education across the UK. We champion, celebrate and raise the morale of all those who work in education.
OUR MISSION
Our vision is a society that values and celebrates the great work that takes place in education every day across the UK. We want teaching and support staff across early years, schools and colleges to feel appreciated, celebrated and proud of the work they do and the difference they make.
Our mission is carried out through two powerful campaigns: the annual Pearson National Teaching Awards and Thank a Teacher.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards recognise and celebrate transformational teaching across the UK and are televised by the BBC each year.
The Thank a Teacher campaign enables anyone to show their appreciation for the outstanding staff working in education with a free, digital card. Each year we celebrate National Thank a Teacher Day, a day when we encourage the whole of the UK to join us in thanking all staff who work in education.
OUR HISTORY
The Teaching Awards Trust was set up in 1998 by Lord David Puttnam, with the support of all the leading political parties, the teaching unions and the wider education community, as well as key industry and media partners, most notably the BBC who have supported our work from the very beginning. With a background in the film industry, and a passion for education, Lord Puttnam decided to create the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession – Awards that elevate and celebrate the status of teachers and their work. Since the creation of the Teaching Awards and the charity 25 years ago – we have also developed the Thank a Teacher Campaign and this has grown significantly in the last few years with National Thank a Teacher Day becoming a fixture in the annual calendar across the UK.
OUR PRESIDENT
The President of the Teaching Awards Trust is celebrated author and former Children’s laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo. Michael joined the Trust in June 2017, and supports the charity’s mission to celebrate and value education through the annual Pearson National Teaching Awards and the Thank a Teacher Campaign.
Mr Morpurgo says: “Becoming an inspirational teacher is a serious, admirable commitment. And memorable, outstanding teaching should be celebrated by educators, pupils, parents and throughout society. With these awards we’re taking the time to recognise the remarkable, often unappreciated efforts of fantastic teachers up and down the country.”
Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s best-loved writers for children. With a writing career that spans 4 decades, he has written over 100 books, selling more than 5 million copies in the UK and over 35 million worldwide.
OUR CELEBRITY SUPPORTERS
We are so grateful for the support we receive from celebrities who champion our cause, and help share the stories of influential and life-changing educators. Over the years our Awards have been presented by Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Stephen Fry, Sir Lenny Henry, Dame Sheila Hancock, Alison Steadman, Tony Blair, David Cameron and many more, and our Thank a Teacher campaign has been supported a host of celebrities including our President Sir Michael Morpurgo, David Walliams, Will Poulter, Jamie Oliver, Joe Wicks, Nadiya Hussain and Bobby Seagull.
OUR TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Teaching Awards Trust UK play a crucial role in guiding our mission and upholding our commitment to valuing the impact of education. Comprised of skilled individuals from various fields, our Trustees bring expertise and diverse perspectives to ensure the continued success and impact of our initiatives and wider organisation.
OUR TEAM
The dedicated team at the Teaching Awards Trust drive the day-to-day work of our organisation, working with huge professionalism and passion to deliver the mission of the charity. With their expertise and commitment, the team is at the heart of all the work we do to celebrate and champion the difference and impact that educators make.
JOIN OUR TEAM
If you are passionate about celebrating and thanking all those who work in education, we’d love to hear from you.
