Staff from North Kent College have been recognised at this year’s Kent Education Awards, celebrating the outstanding contribution educators and support staff make across Kent and Medway.
Organised by Social Enterprise Kent, the Kent Education Awards recognise the critical role that educators and school staff play in shaping the future of children and young people, celebrating their dedication, innovation and impact.
Among the winners was Mark Sheppard, Lecturer in Brickwork at Gravesend, who received the Lecturer of the Year award for his contribution to further education and skills training. Attendees heard about how Mark’s years of experience, pride and determination to pass that onto the next generation year after year has helped countless learners into careers and apprenticeships and have ambitions they never thought possible. Judges noted that ‘he’s not simply teaching brickwork, he is rebuilding confidence, aspiration and purpose one student at a time’.
Callum Duddle, Lecturer in Computing at Dartford, was also recognised as a regional winner, reflecting the strength and dedication of teaching staff across North Kent College.
Mark Sheppard said, “I came in to teaching to see if I could make a difference to some of our younger generation.
“I see a lot of a younger me in a lot of our students, so I try to teach how I would have liked to have been taught, and winning this award has made me and my family very proud, but most of all it must mean the students are getting the right type of help, encouragement and training from me.”
These award successes highlight the outstanding commitment, professionalism and passion demonstrated by staff across North Kent College, and our continued dedication to delivering exceptional experiences and outcomes for students.