Inspirational staff recognised at Pearson National Teaching Awards

Four staff and one school at Inspiration Trust have been recognised with awards from the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Chosen from thousands of nominees, they have been successful in achieving some of these prestigious awards.

Director of Maths, Nicola Coe, has been recognised with a Silver Award for Lifetime Achievement. Having taught more than 1,500 students over her illustrious 35-year teaching career, Nicola is now director of maths across the 18 schools of Inspiration Trust. Her influence extends far beyond her direct teaching roles, however. As leader of the Angles Maths Hub, Nicola designed and delivers a national programme for maths and science teachers, fostering a collaborative approach to teaching and supporting teachers in over 500 schools to develop pedagogy and significantly improve student outcomes. Under her infectious leadership, a strong central maths team at the Trust has developed a comprehensive outreach programme, benefiting students across local schools and inspiring thousands through events like Maths Week and Royal Institute masterclasses. Utilising a grant from the Maths Excellence Fund and in collaboration with the University of East Anglia, Nicola has created the East Maths Community, a programme dedicated to supporting maths excellence and improving GCSE 7+ outcomes throughout the region. Her relentless commitment and innovative approach make Nicola an extraordinary leader, and a beacon of inspiration in maths education.

Site Manager at Hethersett Academy, Lee Smith, has been recognised with a Silver Award for Unsung Hero of the Year, he has been an invaluable asset to Hethersett Academy for over nine years, creating an environment where students thrive through absolute inclusion and where staff feel privileged to work. His dedication to providing resources that other employers can only dream of ensures that staff never want to leave. Lee has gone above and beyond to support the opportunities of pupils at Hethersett Academy, continuously providing new sets for school productions, and creating spaces around the school where pupils can reflect and relax on their breaktimes.

Our Silver Award Winners were provided with the following well wishes from the awards:

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, says: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom - offering encouragement, inspiration, and unwavering support that can shape lives for years to come. That’s why National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all that they do.

"I’m also delighted to be able to congratulate this year’s Silver Award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day."

Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, says: “Every day, educators across the UK go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape the future generation. Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our Silver Award winners represent the very best of the profession, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements. Congratulations to all of this year’s Silver winners!”

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, says: "On Thank a Teacher Day, I want to celebrate the remarkable professionals who are the backbone of our education system. Brilliant teachers make the single biggest difference to a child’s education.

"I've experienced first-hand how a great teacher can make all the difference. Teachers don't just deliver lessons – they transform lives, inspire curiosity, and build the confidence our children need to succeed. For this incredible commitment to our nation's future, we owe our teachers our deepest gratitude."

Executive Principal at Hethersett Academy, Jane Diver, has been awarded Bronze Winner in the Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School category, alongside this, Jane has been nominated for the Headteacher of the Year – State at the Tes Awards, which will be awarded this coming Friday! In her role, Jane also supports two other secondary schools, providing support and advice to new principals and sharing her experience to empower them. She has excelled at fostering a culture of high expectations and a love of learning, valuing partnership and collaboration in the successful operation of Hethersett Academy. Jane is a force for good, constantly driving up standards and has continued to lead the academy from strength to strength.

Head of Technology at Hethersett Academy and Subject Specialist Lead for Design Technology at Inspiration Trust, Kate Finlay, has been successful in achieving Certificate of Excellence status in the Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School category. Her infectious enthusiasm about her subject inspires colleagues, students, and visitors to get involved with design and technology. Last year, she organised a national conference, The Big D&T Meet, which was a huge success and attended by over 300 educators, all eager to develop their subject knowledge and skills. This commitment to improving teaching practice makes her an extremely valuable member of our team as she drives forward the learning of students across Inspiration Trust.

Hewett Academy received a Highly Commended certificate in the Award for Making a Difference – Secondary School of the Year category. This award celebrates the exceptional commitment, innovation, and impact of the entire Hewett Academy team in transforming the lives of its students and the wider community.

Principal, Antony Little expressed immense pride in the achievement: "This award is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students, and the unwavering support of our families and community. At Hewett Academy, we believe in the power of education to change lives, and this recognition affirms the incredible journey we’ve been on together."

We are so proud of our award winners and want to take this opportunity to thank all staff that make an impact every day in our schools. We are immensely grateful for the dedication of our staff, creating a range of opportunities for students across Norfolk and Suffolk.