The University of Cambridge has handed out its annual Educator of the Year awards recognising the efforts put in by teachers and support staff and the vital contribution they make to their student’s future success. At a special event at St John's College they were congratulated for the time they put in helping their students progress into higher education.
Melanie Thompson, who is Head of Sixth Form at Colmers School and Sixth Form College at Rednal on the outskirts of Birmingham, was nominated in the 'Foundation Year' category. This award is given to a teacher who helps their student achieve a place on Cambridge’s year-long Foundation Year course. She was nominated by Hollie Swoffer who is now studying at Lucy Cavendish College. Hollie said Melanie would “regularly hold after school sessions in order to help our understanding of Sociology” and that “she was always extremely caring about her students”.
Melanie praised the efforts Hollie put into her studies:
"I am honoured and deeply touched to have been nominated by Hollie. As our first student to go on to Cambridge University—an achievement hard fought, overcoming significant deprivation—she has given me the privilege of playing a small part in helping her realise her potential. Hollie is quick-minded and intellectually curious, with a strong interest in politics and social policy as drivers of social fairness. She is truly inspiring, and Cambridge was always the perfect place for her to flourish—she just needed to believe that she could."
