At HSDC, students’ voices play a central role in shaping their learning experience, and one of the most meaningful ways they provide feedback is through the annual Teacher Awards. These awards not only celebrate individual excellence, but also highlight the exceptional quality of teaching that directly drives the College’s strong student outcomes.
As stated in HSDC’s recent Ofsted Report, our students benefit from the skilled and experienced teachers who truly bring subjects to life, helping learners build knowledge and skills over time.
As a result, our students are put in the best position to achieve among the best FE outcomes in the region, with HSDC’s latest results once again confirming that the College exceeds the national pass rate for A Levels. The Teacher Awards bring this commitment to life, showcasing the individuals who embody the College’s mission of transforming lives through education.
At the end of last term, students were asked to nominate teachers who had made a significant impact on their learning over the past academic year. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with an incredible 82% of curriculum staff receiving a nomination – a testament to the consistently high quality of teaching and learning outcomes across HSDC’s three campuses.
Below is the full list of teacher awards from each faculty:
- Raymond Whelan (Havant – Humanities)
- David Brimecome (Havant – STEM)
- Will Chandler (South Downs – Business)
- Ellie Belcher (South Downs – Health & Social Care)
- Perdeep Singh (South Downs – Automotive)
- Lee Bailey (South Downs – Sport)
- Paul Loder (South Downs – Music)
- Lee Marshall (South Downs – VFL)
- Margit Hobley (Alton – Maths)
- Julian Bunce (Alton – Vocational Health & Social Care)
- Emily Chard (Alton – Vocational Media)
- Dean Gillatt (Alton – VFL)
- Ania Mendera-Atkins (Adults – ESOL)
- Claire Richards (Apprenticeships)
- Nick Knowlton (LSA/Academic Support)
- Natasha Clake (Student Progress Mentor)
With a fantastic 58 nominations, Raymond Whelan received the Teacher Award for Havant’s Humanities subjects, with his teaching of Philosophy, Religion & Ethics and Law reflecting Ofsted’s findings of supportiveness and academic excellence in the classroom. One of Raymond’s students noted:
“Raymond is always attentive to every student in his class, not only making sure that everyone participates and understands the lesson, but also asking if they need extra support.”
Ellie Belcher is a Health & Social Care lecturer at South Downs, receiving 42 nominations from her students for this award. Students described Ellie’s lessons as both fun and technically rigorous, providing them with fantastic experience to take with them into the workforce. One of Ellie’s students was full of praise for her teaching style:
“Ellie always makes our lessons fun, but also makes sure we understand. Her revision resources are really good too! She’s incredibly supportive and will make sure she helps individuals who are struggling, as well as the classroom as a whole.”
Julian Bunce is a lecturer at Alton College, and was highly praised by his students for his kindness, understanding, good humour and consistent support. One student said:
“Julian teaches in a very effective way, easily clearing any doubts that I have. He also encourages me to do my very best in each task, creating a comfortable and supportive learning environment where I’m not afraid to ask questions.”
Claire Richards’ work-based teaching within the College’s apprenticeships department has had a national impact, with HSDC recently becoming the only FE College to offer a Funeral Care Apprenticeship. Claire’s apprentices noted her personalised and supportive teaching style, mirroring Ofsted’s commendation of HSDC’s highly skilled trainers who are able to contextualise their learning in a relevant and engaging way. One of Claire’s apprentices said:
“Claire not only comes equipped with great advice and guidance for the course, but also adds a personal feel to our learning environment, ensuring that our wellbeing remains a priority. She brings creativity and laughter to her teaching, helping me to retain more information to a higher standard.”
These awards build upon the recognition by Ofsted that HSDC is a true powerhouse of strong teaching and learning. Our learners leave College with the confidence, resilience and skills required to enter the workplace or pursue higher education, and it is crucial that HSDC’s teachers are recognised for their key role in achieving this.
Award recipients received a certificate and a Starbucks voucher as a celebration of their achievement – a small gesture that recognises their extraordinary contribution to HSDC’s community.
The College extends its heartfelt thanks to all staff for their professionalism, passion and commitment, and looks forward to seeing what they achieve in 2026.