AFTER a successful inaugural event celebrating the very best of teaching in Basingstoke and Deane, the second Basingstoke Gazette Education Awards are being organised.

In July 2018, we honoured those in education who had gone the extra mile and been nominated by a student, parent or peer.

In a series of articles in the lead up to this year’s event in July, we will be catching up with as many of last year’s winners as we can.

This week, we spoke to last year’s College Teacher of the Year, Karon Chewter, the head of faculty of the Access Course at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT).

Karon was unavailable on the actual evening, so her award was accepted on her behalf by BCoT principal Anthony Bravo, who promptly called Karon.

Karon said: “I was overjoyed to hear that I had won the award last year.

“It was lovely to be presented with the award in the principal’s office.

“It feels more meaningful that the nomination came from one of my students, and I was really honoured to have been given the award.”

Since winning the award last year, the workload has not got any smaller. Several other departments have now come under the banner of the Access Course, which now incorporates English, maths, engineering and computing, among other new subjects.

Karon added: “There are now several more really good staff teams that work with us, and we support a range of students.”

The Access Course is designed for adults who are looking to go into a particular line of work or university but do not have the necessary qualifications to do so. People on the course range in age from 19 to 60.

Karon said: “I love my job and the college, it is so rewarding to see people leave with new skills that they have learnt here and to go on to successful careers, whether it is in higher education or in an apprenticeship.”

This year’s awards will be taking place at the Apollo Hotel on July 4, with nominations open until May 23.

Karon said: “I would definitely recommend putting someone forward for one of the awards.

“It is a wonderful accolade for any hard-working teacher or member f staff who really puts their heart and soul into teaching.

“While it is rewarding enough to have students leave with their skills, it really is humbling and means a lot when the people you have taught nominate you for an award. It confirms that you are doing something right.”

There are several different categories, including College Teacher of the Year, in this year's awards scheme.

To nominate, go to https://form.jotformeu.com/80294391678367.