Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor today honours state school teachers for supporting pupils through the application process for Oxford at the third annual Inspirational Teachers Awards in an event at St Hilda’s College.
Twelve teachers from state schools and colleges with a limited history of sending pupils to Oxford have been selected for their role in fostering academic passion, encouraging applications to Oxford or supporting their students through the admissions process. The award is open to both teachers and careers advisors who have been nominated by current first year students for their encouragement and enthusiasm.
Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oxford, said,
“Most of the students who submitted nominations this year were the only ones at their school with the academic ability to apply to Oxford, and might not even have considered applying. We think it’s important to recognise the teachers whose dedication really made a difference.”
Selected students from across the university were asked to write no more than 750 words about a teacher whom they felt had been instrumental in the success of their application. One such pupil was Abigail Motley, now studying Biological Sciences at St Hilda’s College, who nominated her Head of Sixth Form, Jo Rodell-Jones.
Motley said, “It was because of this woman that I had the confidence to engage in an Oxford interview, because she taught me never to be afraid of showing your passion for what you most strongly believe in. Mrs Rodell-Jones has that rare ability to see the absolute best in every person, even when they do not see it in themselves.”
Ms Rodell-Jones, from St Simon Stock Catholic School, Maidstone, said that the award was “completely unexpected… I was reminded as to why I first came into the teaching profession.”
Rodell-Jones stresses that her pupil Abigail’s legacy is that “other talented students in this school will see Oxford as an attainable aspiration built on hard work and endeavour. She was truly deserving of her place.”
This award aims to recognise the efforts of individual teachers in securing that legacy. As important as the achievements of individual students are, Vice-Chancellor Professor Hamilton stressed, “It’s hard to over-estimate the impact a good teacher can have in encouraging and raising the aspirations of students over the course of their careers… I hope this award will send the message that students and universities recognise how valuable the role of a supportive teacher can be.”
The award scheme, now in its third year, is part of Oxford’s outreach programme that now reaches 78% of schools across the country with post-16 provision, spending up to £4.5m a year.
However the award scheme has not met with universal approval. One student said, “I think it’s great that these teachers have helped to enable equal opportunities, but the idea of giving an award seems to perpetuate the very elitism that this university is often criticised for.”
