East Durham College is thrilled to announce that Alison Scattergood, who teaches barbering and hairdressing skills at the college has been awarded the highly prestigious TES Further Education Teacher of the Year award for her exceptional teaching abilities and commitment to getting the very best out of her students.
Alison was presented with the accolade at the TES FE Awards annual ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, beating outstanding teachers from across the entire UK to win the top prize.
After her name was read out, Alison was visibly shocked by the news and rushed up on stage to receive her award, from presenter Alan Davies, stealing at least three hugs from the QI and Jonathan Creek star before proudly posing for photos.
Alison said: “I’m utterly thrilled and shocked! I couldn’t have done it without my amazing team and support from my managers, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the years and especially Suzanne Duncan, the principal of East Durham College, for nominating me.
“Teaching is my passion, so to be recognised for it with an award like this is amazing. It’s a night I will never, ever forget.”
As a renowned competitor at national level barbering events, Alison is a big motivation to her students and regularly encourages them to take part in industry-recognised contests. Alison is also the first woman to be named as a British Master Barber and last year was accepted as a member of the Fellowship of British Hairdressers. She is also a member of the City and Guilds national barbering qualification advisory panel.
After taking the lead at the barbering provision at East Durham College, student numbers have doubled over the past five years and pass rates on Level 2 and 3 barbering courses are at 100%. 94% of East Durham College barbering students progress into employment, as well as competing and succeeding in regional and national competition.
The judges at the TES FE Awards said: “People like Alison, who are really successful in their industry, have got to be the future of teaching. Her engagement in the development of course material is as inspirational as her employer engagement.”
East Durham College’s principal, Suzanne Duncan, the person who nominated Alison for the award, said: “We are absolutely overjoyed that Alison received the award for the incredible work she does at the college; we’ve seen time and time again how hard Alison works to improve the abilities of her students and for her to be recognised in this way for her efforts is incredible.
“Congratulations Alison, you really deserve this award and we can’t wait to see where the future takes the barbering industry with talented people like you at the helm of barbering education!”
