Latest News

Victoria Butler, SENCO from Mark Hall Academy has been selected from thousands of nominations to win a Pearson National Teaching Silver Award. Victoria Butler was honoured with a Silver Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.

Victoria achieved a Batchelor of Education degree in 2001 and has spent the next couple of decades teaching in schools across Devon, Jersey, London and Essex. During this time, she has relentlessly dedicated her career to supporting the lives of young people. Now, as SENCO, Victoria’s aim is to make a difference for children with SEND. Aside from her wonderful family and little boy, her job is the most rewarding thing in her life.

Victoria says: ‘Having seen the barriers young people have overcome with my support, guidance and connection cannot be measured.’ Her most recent adventure, climbing 10,052ft -the three peaks- in order to raise money for much needed counselling is testament to her commitment to do everything she can to change children’s lives.

Victoria has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards, which will be announced and celebrated at a gala ceremony in London on 25 November and televised on the BBC, with winners showcased on The One Show.

The honours have been announced on National Thank a Teacher Day, an annual event celebrating the role of educators across the UK for the valued role they play in communities and shaping young people. This year, students were joined by celebrities including Sir Michael Morpurgo, Edith Bowman, Bobby Seagull, Ore Oduba and Nadiya Hussain to mark their teachers' achievements.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity now in its 25th year, that recognises the life-changing work that takes place in education, highlighting the vital role educators play and the work that’s delivered in schools and colleges every day.

Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, says: “I am inspired by the devotion of teachers and the huge impact they have on the lives of the young people they tutor, support, encourage and motivate day in and day out. The valuable role they play both inside and outside the classroom has inspired generations of young people across the country to achieve their potential. I am delighted to congratulate the winners of the 2023 Awards and thank them all for the amazing contributions they have made to our communities.”

Sharon Hague, Senior Vice President of Schools at Pearson UK, says: “We would like to congratulate today’s Silver winners on their incredible achievements. We can’t underestimate the huge contribution schools make to our young people’s lives and [Victoria Butler] is an inspiring example of the positive impact an individual can have on pupils and communities.”

Matt Waring, Education and B2B Channel Manager at Logitech, sponsor of The Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education says: “On a daily basis, outstanding educators play a critical role in fostering the potential of students across the UK and nowhere is this more important than in special needs education. We take great pleasure in recognising this contribution through our association with the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Congratulations to [Victoria Butler] on this outstanding recognition.”