Warwick Trainee Awards
The Ann Barnes Memorial Prize for Inspirational TeachingLink opens in a new window
The University of Warwick Institute Of Education (WIE) established the “Ann Barnes Memorial Prize For Academic Excellence and Exceptional Classroom Proficiency”, in memory of Dr Ann Barnes.
Dr Ann Barnes joined the University of Warwick in 1994 after a successful teaching career in secondary schools. She was a lecturer first in the Language Centre and then in the Institute of Education. At the time of her death in January 2009 Dr Barnes was Director of Teacher Education. In 2006 her exceptional qualities were recognised by a Warwick award for teaching excellence. Dr Barnes was an inspirational role model, always seeking excellence herself and encouraging others to aspire to be the ‘best teacher’ they could be. This memorial prize reflects her unfailing quality to be the first to praise, recognise and celebrate any achievement.
Criteria for awarding:
The Ann Barnes Memorial Prize is awarded annually to a Warwick CTE trainee on the PGCE Primary/Early Years Programme and a trainee on the PGCE Secondary Programme in the Centre for Teacher Education who excels both academically and as a teacher.
The award amount for the academic year 2022/23 is £250. There are 2 awards available, one per phase.
Trainees from Secondary, Primary & Early Years PGCE courses are eligible for this prize.
The criteria for judging are:
- Through inspirational teaching, the trainee meets the needs of all pupils academically and pastorally
- The trainee is able to translate excellent subject knowledge into accessible relevant pedagogy to enthuse learners.
Further evidence to support the nomination may be given, e.g. the trainee has made excellent relationships with colleagues or the trainee has made a contribution beyond the classroom to the wider context of department, phase or school.
This award will be judged by a panel of university tutors representing each course, along with one representative from the awarding committee and one non-teaching representative from the Centre for Teacher Education.
All amounts donated for this prize are endowed in order to provide a lasting memorial to Dr Barnes, who was passionate about both teaching and teacher education.
Nominations for The Ann Barnes Memorial Prize may be made by university tutors, school mentors, class teachers or subject mentors, each of whom will comment on the appropriate criteria denoted on the nomination form.
The Nesta Howells Award for Outstanding EndeavourLink opens in a new window
In October 2007, the University received a legacy gift of £10,000 from Nesta Howells (nee Thomas). Nesta was a student at the City of Coventry Training College for Women from 1948 to 1950. She was a member of the first intake of students at the College where she completed her Certificate in Education.
From Nesta's legacy, £8,000 has been placed in the University’s general endowment fund with the remaining £2,000 being used to create a fund for student prizes awarded annually in Nesta's name within the Institute of Education. Each year, two Nesta Howells Prizes are awarded (one per phase).
The award amount for the academic year 2022/23 is £100.
The College at which Nesta studied later became the Coventry College of Education, finally merging with the University of Warwick in 1978 to become the Faculty of Educational Studies (later the Warwick Institute of Education, and now the Centre for Teacher Education).
Criteria for awarding:
PGCE Primary, Early Years and Secondary Trainees are eligible for this prize.
Nominations should contain positive comments on one or more of the following:
- The nominated trainee has succeeded despite challenging circumstances
- The trainee has overcome adversity
- The trainee has supported colleagues
- The trainee has demonstrated other aspects of development or achievement
This award will be judged by a panel of university tutors representing each course, along with one representative from the awarding committee and one non-teaching representative from the Centre for Teacher Education.
Owing to the potentially sensitive nature of their circumstances, each trainee nominated for this award will be contacted before judging begins in order to gain their consent.
Nominations for The Nesta Howells Award may be made by university tutors, school mentors, class teachers and fellow PGCE trainees, each of whom will comment on the appropriate criteria denoted on the nomination form.