The culinary arts team and a lecturer at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have been named Silver Award winners in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards 2026.
Scooping the Silver Award for Further Education (FE) Team of the Year, SERC’s culinary arts team has developed a strong legacy of embedding food poverty and social inclusion initiatives into the curriculum. Their innovative project-based learning Food Poverty Programme means students collaborate with local food banks and community groups by preparing meals and leading food demonstrations, and supporting large-scale community events to raise awareness of, and help tackle, food poverty.
Stephen McGreevy, Lecturer and Lead Business Skills Manager, won a Silver Award for FE Lecturer of the Year. Stephen is widely recognised for his leadership in sustainability education across Northern Ireland. His pioneering work includes the development of unique Level 5 OCN NI qualifications in retrofit coordination and green technology—the first of their kind in Northern Ireland. He also led the creation of a state-of-the-art retrofit training facility, equipping students with essential skills for a Net Zero future and supporting industry’s transition to sustainable practices.
SERC’s Green Skills Team were also Highly Commended in the Team of the Year category.
Tommy Martin, Principal & Chief Executive of SERC, who presented the Awards at a special event hosted in the College said, “We are absolutely delighted for SERC to be recognised with not one, but two, Silver Pearson National Teaching Awards for our culinary arts team and lecturer Stephen McGreevy. These Awards are testament to the remarkable work happening every single day across the college, helping people transform their lives.”
He added, “At SERC, we champion the benefits of choosing to study at an FE College to absolutely anyone, at any stage of their lives. Whatever path a person wishes to take in life; there is a route for them with us. The work that the culinary arts team and Stephen have been doing, day in and day out, epitomises that sense of purpose which is at the heart of everything we do and an understanding that education and skills are about building a stronger more inclusive society.”
Tommy concluded, “Congratulations to all award recipients and best of luck for the Silver winners for the Gold Awards in November.”
This is the fourth time SERC has been awarded a Silver Pearson National Teaching Award for Further Education Team of the Year since 2019, when the Science team won the award, followed by the Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Environment team (2023) and the College’s Engineering team (2024). The College’s Little SERC creche team won a Silver Award for Early Years Team of the Year (2023).
The Culinary Arts and Hospitality team achieved a Bronze Award for FE Team of the Year in 2024.
In addition, since 2021, SERC lecturers have been recognised with individual awards for FE Lecturer of the Year: Paul Mercer, Silver (2021); Aine McGreeghan, Silver (2023); Pauline Blair, Bronze (2025) and Stefanie Campbell won Gold (2021) in the Digital Innovator of the Year category.
SERC’s culinary arts team and lecturer Stephen McGreevy are among 99 outstanding teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff, and education settings honoured as Silver Winners in this year’s Awards on National Thank a Teacher Day (17 June), in recognition of their dedication and impact. All Silver winners will progress to the final stage for consideration for a Pearson Gold Teaching Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.
National Thank a Teacher Day, and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.
Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, says: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom. Long before children find their voice, their confidence, or their calling, there is usually a teacher who helped them get there, working patiently and persistently, and often without any recognition at all. That is what makes National Thank a Teacher Day so important. It is a rare and well-deserved moment to celebrate our teachers and say we are grateful.
I am especially proud to congratulate this year's Silver Award winners. In a world that moves quickly and demands so much, you have chosen to invest your time, energy, and passion into future generations, and that is something truly worth celebrating. Thank you for the dedication you show every single day."
Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, says: "For many of us, a teacher was the person who helped us believe in ourselves and recognise what we were capable of. Every day, educators support young people to be the best they can be, nurturing their potential and leaving a lasting impact that follows them into adulthood. We are proud to take this opportunity to say thank you to the teachers up and down the country who make our schools so special. This year's Silver Winners represent the amazing dedication and brilliant work that goes on in classrooms across the country, and we're delighted to be celebrating them today. Congratulations to every Silver Winner!"
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, says: “On Thank a Teacher Day we stop to appreciate the extraordinary lengths teachers go to, every single day, to inspire the young people in their classrooms. “I know more than most how great teachers shape young lives. So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your dedication, your commitment and your hunger to help your pupils go on to live better, more fulfilling lives."
