A teacher from Hartlepool has been named best in the country for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) leadership in the prestigious National STEM Inspiration Awards.
Lyndsay Reavley, senior teacher at High Tunstall College of Science was nominated for the Joan Sjøvoll STEM leadership award by RTC North, regional contract holders for the STEM Ambassador Hub, in recognition of the STEM work she has carried out in the region.
Lyndsay knew she had been shortlisted as one of three final nominees from a long list of UK-wide entrants. She was delighted to be named winner at the STEM Inspiration Awards held at the House of Lords earlier this month.
RTC North was awarded the STEM Ambassador Hub North East contract from STEM Learning to lead a powerful programme which supports young people across the North East and brings together industry and schools through volunteer led activities to bring STEM subjects to life and demonstrate their value in life and future careers.
In 2015 Lyndsay applied for STEM Assured status for the college’s STEM provision and High Tunstall College of Science was successfully awarded the status in April 2016.
Lyndsay said: “I’m honoured and a bit surprised to have won such a prestigious award. The support that I have received from RTC has been absolutely key to securing the award and they are themselves inspirational and knowledgeable people.
“I was delighted to bring the award back to the north east and highlight the incredible STEM work carried out in the region. One of the key ingredients to a successful STEM agenda within any school or college is strong relationships and links with industry. Students need to see where their studies link to real life and where it can take them. Raising aspirations by boosting awareness of different work places improves achievement and opens up so many new and previously unthought-of of choices for young people.“
Jen Lee, STEM Ambassador North East Education Relationship Manager, is delighted with Lyndsay’s national success. “Lyndsay has done a fabulous job in inspiring young scientists and engineers of the future with her STEM work at High Tunstall.
“We put Lyndsay forward for the STEM Leadership award because we are so impressed with her dedication, enthusiasm and leadership ability. It’s a rare combination – and it’s fantastic that the judges of the STEM Inspiration awards agreed by naming her best in the country.”
RTC’s work in leading the STEM Ambassador Hub contract includes working with a range of organisations across the North East to increase the breadth and quality of ambassadors. The community RTC has built reflects every element of the STEM agenda ranging from IT to digital design, chemical engineering to advanced manufacturing and of the petrochemicals to renewable energy.
Ambassadors range from apprentices to technicians, undergraduates to middle and senior managers crossing all ages, backgrounds, employers and disciplines. The network which RTC has built is diverse, accessible to young people and reflective of the region.
Find out more about RTC’s STEM work at http://www.rtcnorth.co.uk/programmes/stem-ambassador-hub
Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR & Marketing Ltd. Tel 10670 790246 or 07711 698246.