National award for United Colleges Group as we open doors with technology

Staff and students at United Colleges Group (UCG) are celebrating success in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards, which took place on National Thank a Teacher Day. 

We have been named a Silver Winner for our Transformational Use of Digital Technology and are now in the running for Gold, to be announced later this year. 

The award recognises the system we’ve built over the past six years, which guarantees every learner access to the technology they need to be industry-ready for their chosen career.

Highlights include: 

• Closing the digital divide: Free laptop banks, mobile charging points and built-in accessibility tools mean all students have access to the tools they need to succeed, regardless of economic barriers they might otherwise face.
• Immersing students in industry-standard virtual environments: This includes a fully working hospital ward at our Paddington campus where Health and Social Care students use VR headsets to rehearse high-stakes clinical scenarios before their real work placements. This has been so successful that the NHS now uses the facility to train its own midwives. 
• Freeing up more teacher time for students: UCG is piloting the marking and assessment tool Markus AI, that supports how the wider sector mobilises AI technology and opens up additional time for teachers to directly support our students. 

Congratulations are also due to UCG’s Dr Azmol Hussain, Teaching Learning & Assessment Development Coach and Naheed Aslam, Business Development Lecturer. Azmol Hussain was Highly Commended and Naheed Aslam received a Certificate of Achievement in the Awards’ FE Teacher of the Year category. 

Stephen Davis, CEO and Group Principal of UCG, said: 

“Our investment in technology has always been aimed at breaking down barriers to opportunity for our students, and to support them on their learning journey. We believe it is working. We see improved engagement and stronger achievement every day, with students and staff alike feeling more confident and empowered. 

“Today’s award marks a culmination of many years of hard work and I congratulate all our colleagues who’ve worked with such creativity and determination towards it. 

“In addition, everyone at UCG is proud of our incredible colleagues, Azmol Hussain and Naheed Aslam, who have been deservedly recognised by the award judges for their work making a clear and impactful difference for our students.” 

Davida is a Health and Social Care student at our Paddington campus. She said: 

“The VR headsets in my Health and Social Care class were such a lifesaver. We got to practice super tough moments, like telling a patient's daughter that her dad was dying, in a safe space. It meant I could rehearse those difficult conversations again and again until I felt ready. By the time I started my placement, I felt so much more prepared and calm for whatever came my way, even before I stepped into a real hospital.”

Dawid, studying for a Diploma in Engineering Technology – Welding, added: 

“Using VR helped bring the workshop into the classroom and helped me understand how to correctly set up for welding, allowing me learn from my mistakes without any worries about my health or safety."

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said:

“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.” 

Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said:

“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.”