BGLZ A-Level Team Win Bronze Award for Pearson FE Team of the Year

Wednesday 23^rd June was ‘National Thank A Teacher Day’, and what better way to celebrate than with a prestigious Bronze Award for the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone A-Level Team in the Pearson Teaching Awards ‘FE Team of the Year’ 2021! The award recognises the valuable contribution made by the dedicated teaching staff at our Ebbw Vale Campus and the positive difference they’ve made in the lives of young people in the area, having revolutionised the delivery of A-Level education in the Blaenau Gwent region.

Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone opened in 2013 as the home for all A-Level education in Blaenau Gwent, with 27 highly qualified specialists who teach across the broad offering of A-Level subjects. Nominated by Head of School, Suzanna Thomas, in recognition of their achievements, the team engages, motivates and encourages learners to do their best, so you can take your place with the brightest of learners at university. They work closely to focus on doing their very best for you, to see you achieve and go on to study in your chosen university, working hard to maintain your motivation in spite of adverse circumstances like COVID. Their commitment ensures that attendance is above expectations with few learners leaving their courses. But above all, the team ensures that you know how to improve and get the best grades you possibly can, exceeding expectations.

Throughout the pandemic, learners have benefitted from extra support and follow-ups to keep them engaged and thriving at college. This extra support has meant that all learners received their first-choice university places even though there had been the significant disruptions due to COVID. Head of School, Suzanna Thomas, said; “the dedication and support of the A-Level team to ensure the best for learners during this time has been remarkable.”

Thanks to the team’s passion for teaching, learners have emerged over the past 8 years with A-Level grades much higher than their target grade predictions and they’ve gone on to study at universities of their choice across the UK. Results have increased consistently, with learners achieving pass rates above 98% and grades above national benchmarks for both the UK and Wales. Learner value-added achievement is in the top 20% score of 3,000 institutions offering A-Levels across the UK, making Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone a great further education option for young people in the region.

Michael Morpurgo, President of the Pearson National Teaching Awards, commented on the A-Level team, saying; “The work you do – day-in, day-out – is life-enhancing, life-changing… I am writing to you to congratulate and to thank you. For a child to have a great teacher like you is so important. You open doors, shine a light. You spend your working life passing on to children all that you know and love… So, bravo you, bravo!”

So, congratulations and thank you to all the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone A-Level team on winning the Bronze accolade as ‘FE Team of the Year’ 2021 and for your dedication to our learners: Steph Werrett, Dr Shaun Andrews, Ashley Amos, Gemma Starling, Obiajulu Iweka, Laura Phillips, Richard Payne, Lisa Jones, Rhiannon Jenkins, Nicola Gatesman, Nick Thomas, Liane Dent, Steve Duffin, Stacey Whitcombe, Dr Kate Hanford, Stacey Knight, Grace Coomer, Laura Nelmes, Hannah Hughes, Kelly Reed, Karan Sadler, Holly Ellis, Candice Arthur, Fran Atkinson, Professor Russell Deacon, Cath Rogers, Patrick Evans, Dr Adam Rykala, Henry Felek.

Find out more about studying A-Levels at Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone at our next Virtual Open Event or A-Levels Pathways Week. It’s not too late to apply now to join Coleg Gwent this September.