Outstanding schools, mentors and education professionals from across the region have been recognised at Anglia Ruskin University's (ARU) first-ever Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Partnership Celebration event.
Held at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, the inaugural awards brought together around 120 representatives from schools and academy trusts involved with ARU's BEd Primary Education with QTS programme, which is offered in Cambridge, Chelmsford and at ARU Peterborough. When it was launched in 2024, ARU’s course was the first new BEd degree to be introduced in the UK in the last 30 years.
The event celebrated the vital role that local educators play in developing the next generation of teachers and was the first event of its kind organised by ARU to formally recognise the contribution of schools, trusts, mentors and support staff involved in ARU’s teacher training partnership.
During the event Professor Ross Renton, CEO and Principal of ARU Peterborough, spoke about the importance of strong collaboration between universities and schools in ensuring high-quality teacher training and supporting future generations of pupils.
A series of awards also celebrated individual and organisational contributions to teacher education.
Mentor Awards were presented to school-based mentors who have demonstrated dedication in supporting trainee teachers through high-quality and innovative mentoring. Unsung Hero Awards recognised colleagues whose work behind the scenes has had a significant influence on trainees’ professional development, while Partnership Contribution Awards were given to schools and trusts for their sustained commitment to the partnership through activities such as placement opportunities, school visits and curriculum support.
Award winners in the Cambridgeshire area were:
Mentor Award winners: Josie Blades – King’s Hedges Educational Federation, Cambridgeshire;
Freddie Dawson – Clare Community Primary School, Suffolk;
Kirstin MacVicar – University of Cambridge Primary School, Cambridgeshire.
Unsung Hero Award winner: Youssef Ellimouni - Bassingbourn Community Primary School, Cambridgeshire
Partnership Contribution Award winners: Anglian Learning Trust, Cambridgeshire;
St Matthew’s Primary School, Cambridge.
Dr Rachel Minett, Strategic Lead for ITT Partnerships at ARU, said: “It was fantastic to come together with school partners across the region to celebrate their expertise and commitment to developing the next generation of teachers with ARU.
“We couldn’t deliver high-quality Initial Teacher Training without the support from our rich and growing partnership of schools. Congratulations to those who won awards – we hope this celebration will become a lasting feature of our teacher training partnership, recognising the talent and generosity of local teachers.”
Picture: Kate Spencer Allen and Rachel Minett St Matthews primary school Partnership Contribution Award
