Littlehampton teacher rewarded for flair and service

Karen Portman received the highly commended teacher award at the first National BTEC Awards at the Royal Society of Arts headquarters.

The ceremony was held to recognise hundreds of thousands of students around the country who are studying BTEC qualifications this year, and their teachers.

With Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills the host, more than 450 nominees from across the country attended the event.

An overjoyed Karen said: “I’m delighted to be highly commended BTEC teacher or tutor of the year.

“I am extremely passionate about teaching media to the students at the Littlehampton Academy.

“Seeing them achieve and progress as people makes it all so worthwhile.”

Speaking after the awards, schools minister and Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP, Nick Gibb, said: “It’s good news that Karen outperformed hundreds of other nominations to win the award for BTEC teacher or tutor of the year.

“It is important to recognise professional excellence and this award provides a great platform for showcasing the nation’s most inspirational educators.”

Karen has been teaching the media BTEC for the last seven years and now runs the department at the academy. At the ceremony, she was commended on her innovative classroom structure, which sees students being placed in a simulated work environment, using real-life style briefs.

She also invites outside speakers, including photographers, film production companies, a BBC producer and animators, to talk to the students.

Mention was also made of Karen consistently making herself available to all her students, offering advice and guidance, even in her own time.