Employees from across the further education sector were honoured in London on the 26th November in the sixth annual LSIS STAR awards.
Over the past six years more than 13,000 people have been nominated for STAR Awards in recognition of the contribution they have made to the lives of learners. The awards are a celebration of individuals who use their skills to improve provision across the sector.
The Network was delighted to sponsor this year’s award for Leadership which was presented to Kanwal Pattar, Vice Principal for Skills for Life and community cohesion at the Working Men’s College in Camden.
The Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated high leadership skills and practices and inspires, motivates and leads others. Kanwal was nominated for the instrumental part she played in establishing vital positive changes required for her college to improve and succeed in achieving grade 1 in the recent OFSTED inspection.
She commented, "I felt privileged to be nominated for such a prestigious award. It’s the BAFTA of further education. This is something I never thought I would achieve."
Kanwal paid tribute to the Network and the Black Leadership Initiative in her acceptance speech having been an active member for some time and taken part in our Ofsted inspection shadowing programme and career development workshops.
More than 500 guests at the cosmos-themed ceremony heard from Kevin Brennan, minister for further education who said: "I am delighted to extend my congratulations to this year’s winners and also to all of those who have been nominated for an award. As the unsung heroes of the learning and skills sector, you have made a huge difference, and have inspired countless young and adult learners and have helped them to achieve their full potential. The LSIS STAR Awards recognise the important contribution of the learning and skills sector and those who work in it. You are helping to build a strong UK economy and a cohesive society."
The sponsorship money contributed by the Network will be used towards value-added personal and professional development activities for the awards winners through the STARlight fund. Each STAR Award winner and highly commended nominee receives £1,500 support from the STARlight fund which can be used to enhance their ability to make a difference in the further education system.
STAR Award Winners
Teaching, Training & Learning Practitioner (learner nomination) - Neil Maclean – JHP Training
Teaching, Training & Learning Practitioner (peer nomination) - Manjit Johal – Sandwell College
Skills for Life – Maggie Harnew – Abingdon & Witney College
Lifetime Achievement – Paul Delmar – Norton College (part of The Sheffield College)
Support Role – Gerrard Shaw – Redbridge Institute of Adult Education
Learning Support – Billy Courtney – Newcastle College
Leadership – Kanwal Pattar – The Working Men’s College
Innovation – Sarah Snowdon – The Isle of Wight College
Engaging Employers – Terence Anslow – Telford College of Arts & Technology
Workforce Development – Kevin Maddeys – First Group Bus Depot
Response to Learners’ Needs – Regional Centre for Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder team – City College Norwich
