Merton student nominates "passionate and inspirational" teacher for award

Assistant Head Teacher Simon Dawson will be recognised as an 'Inspirational Teacher' at a ceremony at Worcester College, Oxford this evening. He was nominated for the award by first-year Medicine undergraduate Kaveeta Malhi; Simon, who taught Kaveeta at Springwood High School in Norfolk, is, she says, "the most passionate and inspirational teacher I have ever had."

The Inspirational Teachers scheme recognises the crucial role teachers play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges. Each year, current first-year Oxford undergraduates from UK state schools or colleges with a limited history of sending students to Oxford are asked if they would like to nominate an inspirational teacher. 

The Inspirational Teachers Awards are a way of recognising the importance of school or college teachers in encouraging bright students to realise their potential and make a successful application to Oxford.

Asked why she had chosen to nominate Simon, Kaveeta said:

"[His] enthusiasm was infectious - not only did he help us all succeed in three separate maths GCSEs, but made sure nobody was left behind, irrespective of ability. Every member of that class felt included and supported. [He] encouraged me the most to be the best I could be..."

Other teachers nominated by Merton students for this year's awards were:

• Charlotte Galvin of Rutlish School in Merton, London, who was nominated by first-year History and Politics undergraduate Daniel Ostrowski; and
• Cormac van der Hoeven of Wimbledon College in Merton, London, who was nominated by first-year PPE undergraduate Matteo Baccaglini.