Peers and learners vote for their STARs

Manjit Johal, winner of the peer nominated award, with Toni Fazaeli, IfL CEO, and Sue Crowley, IfL ChairThe recent STAR Awards saw two diverse areas of the learning and skills sector represented in the teaching, training and learning practitioner category. Neil Maclean, a teacher with JHP Training in Birmingham, won the learner-nominated award, and Manjit Johal, a lecturer at Sandwell College, the peer-nominated award.

The Institute for Learning (IfL) sponsored the two awards in recognition of the contribution that teaching and training practitioners in the learning and skills sector make to the lives of their learners.

Neil Maclean, winner of the learner nominated award, with his certificateToni Fazaeli, IfL's chief executive, said, "Throughout the learning and skills sector, teachers and trainers do a wonderful job, transforming the lives of learners. We believe that outstanding teaching should be recognised and honoured, and so we are very pleased to support the STAR Awards. Our heartiest congratulations go to Neil and Manjit for their well-deserved awards, and to the other nominees in the teaching, training and learning practitioner categories."

Manjit Johal leads an Esol (English for Speakers of Other Languages) team that teaches adult learners at Sandwell College, and was once described as 'gold dust' by an Ofsted inspector. He said, "If it weren’t for my learners, I wouldn’t have the passion I have for my job. Because of the language barrier, I can see there are many limitations in their lives. Many of them don’t have families here, haven’t had any privileges in life, and don’t recognise the opportunities available to them. For some of the learners, it’s the first time they’ve ever had education. You can see how much it means to them and how much they appreciate any little help you can give them. It’s so great to be a part of it."

Maria Christ, a fellow Esol lecturer, said she nominated Manjit because his teaching is so innovative and exciting. “Manjit’s successes run deeper than just getting learners to pass exams;" she said. "He is successful in inspiring and motivating learners to meet their aspirations.”

The learner who nominated Neil Maclean for a STAR Award said, "Neil has a lot of faith in me and has made me realise I’m capable of pretty much anything. Thanks to Neil I’m a changed person, more mature, knowledgeable and more humble than I was; I can’t thank him enough."

Joyce Elemson, an application of number (AoN) and maths lecturer at Bexley College, is one of the IfL members and volunteers who attended the gala event as a guest of IfL. "Very rarely are teaching staff aware of such awards in further education," she said. "I am really grateful to have been part of it and hope that other members are privileged to attend in future. Well done for all your hard work to give a strong voice to FE."

About the LSIS STAR Awards

The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) holds the annual STAR Awards to recognise and reward individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of learning that millions of people across England receive every day.

Debi Smithson, ICT tutor – adult and community learning at Adult and Community Learning Brixham College, and Ollie Goldstone, lip reading tutor at Richmond Adult Community College, were highly commended in the teaching, training and learning practitioner – learner nomination category.

Richard Martin, learning organiser and facilitator at City of Bristol College, was highly commended in the teaching, training and learning practitioner – peer nomination category.