Inspirational JCG teachers awarded at education ‘Oscars’

Saturday 02 October 2021

JCG's Principal and an English teacher who has played a key role in the local Black Lives Matter movement have been honoured at the ‘Oscars’ of the teaching profession.

Carl Howarth, who has led the school for more than a decade, received a Certificate of Excellence in the Headteacher of the Year category at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Abigail Atkinson, who was also recently named Diversity and Inclusion Champion at the Pride of Jersey Awards, received a certificate in the Secondary School Teacher of the Year category.

She gave a moving speech at last year's Black Lives Matter protest in People's Park, explaining why 'Black Lives Matter' doesn't mean all lives don't matter by giving the example of parenting a child in need.

CLICK TO WATCH: Ms Atkinson's speech at the BLM protest in Jersey last June.

"That doesn't mean that we don't care about our other children, that just means that we care about the child who needs us to show them that we care about them," she said.

Ms Atkinson also led efforts to create an 'I am learning' video with students to highlight what they had learned about racial inequality past and present, including the historic trade of enslaved people, and the questions they were now asking about how to create a better future.

Colleagues and students nominated Ms Atkinson and Mr Howarth for the awards, which have served as an annual celebration of excellence in education across the UK and Crown Dependencies since their foundation in 1998.

Video: JCG's 'I am learning' video.

“Mrs Atkinson’s attitude is always so positive and I am so thankful to her for creating my love for English,” one of the teacher’s students explained.

“I go into English lessons thinking that I don’t have to be perfect, I know that I have to do my best and learn from her inspirational feedback.”

JCG Board of Governors Chair Louise Read described Mr Howarth as a “passionate and inspiring role model to the whole college community”.

Pictured: JCG was nominated for Secondary School of the Year.

“He is committed to supporting and encouraging all students to achieve their true potential academically while developing the global citizens and leaders of the future,” she added.

The school itself also received a Nominee Certificate in the category 'The Award for Making a Difference - Secondary School of the Year'.