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INSPIRATIONAL: Oliver Smith

TEN STATE school teachers have been honoured by Oxford University for the ‘inspirational’ impact that they and their approach to learning have had on past students.

The winners, from across the UK, were first nominated for ‘Inspirational Teachers Awards’ by current first-year Oxford students, who wanted to recognise and say thank you for the time and effort their teachers put into supporting and encouraging their ambitions to earn a place at Oxford.

Now in its ninth year, the awards scheme is designed to celebrate and show appreciation for the crucial role that teachers in state schools and colleges play in encouraging talented young people’s aspirations against the odds, and helping them to realise their potential.

A selection of current first-year Oxford undergraduates were asked to nominate teachers who inspired them to apply to Oxford, drove their passion for a particular subject and supported them to prepare for interviews and the notoriously challenging interview process. The students selected were all from state schools or colleges with low traditions of sending students to Oxford.

The group will receive their awards from Professor Martin Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Oxford University on Friday 17 May at a ceremony held at Worcester College.

One of the winners was Oliver Smith, a sociology teacher at Halesowen College in Dudley, the Midlands. He was nominated by Michael-Akolade Ayodeji, who is studying PPE at University College (UNIV).

Smith said: “I am extremely honoured and humbled to be recognised for an Inspirational Teacher Award 2019, and I would firstly like to recognise the huge achievements of the person who nominated me for this very prestigious award, Michael-Akolade, as without his commitment and astute academic abilities, this award would not be possible.

PICTURED: Michael-Akolade Ayodeji

“I am delighted that I was able to play a role in his journey and to witness the results of his hard work, dedication and tenacity. His journey, without a doubt, was incredibly difficult at times, but with unwavering determination, Michael-Akolade has proven that all things are possible, when you are disciplined and unbreakable in your desires to achieve greatness.”

Of why Smith had such a lasting impact on him, Akolade Ayodeji credited ‘his ability to relate to everyone,’ and the effort he made to go above and beyond the academic syllabus to inspire engagement.

“He would recommend books by philosophers, sociologist or fictional authors which were outside our syllabus but facilitated critical analysis of ideas and systems,” said Akolade Ayodeji. “This laid the foundation for my getting more engaged with the subject topics, reading around my syllabus, attending talks and seminars on interesting motions beyond the A Level scope.”

Winning the award is testament to the impact that teachers can have on young people’s lives and aspirations.

Dr Samina Khan, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach at Oxford, said: “As a former teacher myself I understand the demands of the profession, and yet how fulfilling it is to work with students.

“The Inspirational Teachers Awards is one of the ways that Oxford recognises and celebrates the crucial role that teachers play in supporting students’ confidence and ambitions, to come to Oxford. Achieving a place at Oxford requires academic talent, and dedication so support from those around can help, particularly support from teachers. By bedding in the love of learning I know teachers make the experience relevant and in many cases fun.

|Many of our students go on to pursue careers as teachers themselves, inspired by those that have shaped their lives along the way. Instilling hope and igniting a lifelong passion for learning is a gift that we can never say thank you enough for, but I hope this award goes some way to showing our appreciation.

|As the programme nears its tenth year we have recognised the commitment of close to 100 teachers across the country, and it is my hope that we continue to do so for many years to come.”

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