Burnley College Sixth Form Centre Tutor honoured in ‘Tutor of the Year’ category in International Awards

A talented Tutor, whose passion for Media inspires students on Vocational courses at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre has been awarded a bronze medal in the 2020 Pearson International BTEC Awards.

Media Tutor Dave Easton overcame fierce competition from Tutors is a wide range of Vocational subjects to earn a Bronze Medal in the annual awards which attracts thousands of entries from across the world.

Known for his energy, enthusiasm and constant stream of innovative ideas, the judges noted Dave’s ability to bring the subject of Media alive, creating an incredibly engaging and diverse experience for his students, reflecting life in an ever-evolving industry.

Dave Easton said:

“It’s fantastic and humbling to have this recognition from my peers around the world! I am passionate about Media – it’s a constantly-developing subject which demands a wide skillset and a great deal of creativity. But the rewards are immense, students are given opportunities to really grow in confidence, to develop their own style and to see their work on local, region and national stages.

“At the heart of everything I do as a Media Tutor is a determination to instil in my students a real love of learning; to make them curious individuals with a thirst for discovery and to challenge them at every stage of their academic journey. Much of my teaching and learning therefore takes place outside the classroom on live projects – with real deadlines just like they will face in their careers – including collecting photography, videography and interviews at black-tie events, awards ceremonies, fashion shows, industry and news events. This amazing experience and the self-belief it brings helps them to build a portfolio of work which makes them truly stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to applying for places at top universities to take their studies to the next level or when starting their careers.”

Principal of Burnley College Sixth Form Centre Karen Buchanan said:

“Congratulations to Dave on this huge accolade from the Pearson BTEC Awards and for being recognised as one of the best Tutors – not just in the UK but in the world! He is an integral member of the Burnley College family and, aside from being an outstanding Tutor, regularly uses his skills, enthusiasm and innovation to unite staff and aid student development across College.

“Dave shines a light on his students, nurturing them to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of top professionals within the media industry. He generously shares his time and expertise in maintaining student engagement with fellow Tutors through his own tutorials. He inspires, motivates and empowers his students to achieve their goals, playing a key role in Burnley College Sixth Form Centre’s mission to build futures and
change lives.”

The Pearson BTEC Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and
recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on those they teach.

In addition to the BTEC Awards, Burnley College has achieved national success in the Pearson National Teaching Awards, dubbed ‘the Education Oscars’ with two amazing Tutors shortlisted in the national finals. Mazar Iqbal, a successful A Level Computer Science Tutor, is a finalist in the Further Education Lecturer of the Year category  and Ben Whitaker, a leader in the College’s forward-thinking Division of Creative Industries and Computing, is shortlisted for the keenly-contested Digital Innovator of the Year Award.

If you are finishing secondary school this summer, there is still time to apply to study A Levels or a Vocational programme this autumn at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre, recognised as the number one College in England for its learners’ achievements in the latest official Government achievement tables. Or, be one of the first to apply to study in 2021, with innovative and inspirational teaching, plus the very best individualised support from Tutors who are passionate about their subjects and seeing you succeed. Visit burnley.ac.uk;
email [email protected] or call 01282 733373.