Sparsholt College Group is delighted to have had three of their expert lecturers receive awards at the 2021 Hampshire Education Awards held in Winchester this week.
Presented at Ashburton Hall, members of the College group were in attendance to celebrate the fantastic efforts of staff nominated and awarded this year.
Adrian Lax, a newly qualified tutor from the Sparsholt campuses’ Agriculture department, received an award for Flying Colours. His hard work has been recognised thanks to not only his skills in livestock husbandry and estate management, but also by building relationships with internal and external groups to ensure the students in his department are involved in multiple projects to build their experience and improve their employability.
On his award Adrian said: “It was a surprised to be recognised by Assistant Principal Laura Black in the first place, as I felt I was just doing my job. Thank you to everyone who has helped my journey into teaching, including my family for their ongoing support, and my colleagues Iain Rashleigh, Rebecca Field and Shaun Millen.”
A key member of the Andover campuses’ Science department, chemistry tutor Paul Roberts received a Teaching and Leaning award at the event. Credited to his efforts for always going above and beyond, Paul’s encouragement and enthusiasm for science has seen him visit local primary schools to offer Year 5 and 6 taster sessions alongside inspiring his own students at the College to achieve Outstanding A Level results.
Paul said, “Being nominated and winning the Teaching and Learning award is a real privilege but without the support over the years from the Maths and Science Team at Andover this would not have been possible. All teachers want to inspire and motivate their students to greater outcomes and its essential that we are allowed to be creative and independent to achieve this. Long may our college management allow this and hopefully bring more awards and recognition to the fantastic college that Andover is.”
The coveted Outstanding Contribution to Education award was handed to Sparsholt’s longstanding Animal Management lecturer John Britton, who this year celebrated 50 years of teaching at the College. A valued member of staff regarded highly by both staff and students, John’s dedication, and continued support to the Sparsholt community over the years is immeasurable.
On his Golden Anniversary at Sparsholt, John commented: “I would like to say thank you to all the colleagues and students, a number of whom are no longer with us, for all the inspiration, encouragement, support and just putting up with me over the last fifty years.”
Also shortlisted were the Animal Management Team, Equine Centre Team, and Grounds Team, for their wider support of the College animal collections and extensive land during the past few unusual years.
Julie Milburn, Principal of Sparsholt College Group, expressed her gratitude for the staff nominated for, and receiving awards: “I am absolutely delighted for Paul, Adrian and John, who’s awards are well deserved and well earned. Our fantastic staff are an integral element of the Sparsholt College Group, giving students incredible opportunities to become the experts of the future. It is an honour to have them recognised at such a prestigious event – my many congratulations go out to everybody who was nominated across the Sparsholt College Group.”
The Hampshire Education Awards have been established by Hampshire County Council as a means of recognising and celebrating the contribution of staff and volunteers within Hampshire’s education system.