Sir Michael Morpurgo
“Becoming an inspirational teacher is a serious, admirable commitment. Outstanding teaching should be celebrated throughout society”
Pixie Lott
“My teachers helped make my dreams come true. I can’t thank them enough. My outstanding teachers gave me an excellent foundation and start to my career.”
Alison Steadman OBE
“A really good teacher can open up the world for you. Aged 15 I had two teachers, one was called Mildred Spencer, who was areal character, and a wonderful guy called Jim Wiggins. I would love to be able to go back and them.”
Cressida Cowell MBE
“Miss Mellows let me have books where I could write whatever I wanted. She didnt mark them & that is where I learnt to write for the joy of it”
Ian Wright OBE
“He’s somebody that is very special to me, He actually loved being a teacher. It’s amazing what a teacher can do to somebody in their life.”
Liz Bonnin
“Mrs Kelly was my first teacher in Ireland. I remember her being an incredibly supportive and nurturing presence – almost like a second mum at school.”
Rhys Ifans
“My art teacher Alan Victor-Jones was patient and strict and left us to our own devices. Its only years later I have realised what an inspiration he was”
Beverley Knight MBE
“Mrs Barnhard you have no idea what impact you had on little Bev who just thought life and what i wanted was just too far out of reach. You were the one who told me I could achieve it”
Carol Vorderman MBE
“Mr Parry was wonderful. He had this amazing giggle and he taught us so brilliantly with such enthusiasm and I am forever grateful to him.”
Anna Friel
“They saw i had something special and pushed me to do something. They thought I had a talent. Without them I wouldnt be where I am”
Elizabeth McGovern
“Christine Adams meant everything to me. She taught me the beauty of wriing and it helped me to think clearly and to express myself clearly”
Sarah Hadland
“At theatre school, my Head teacher Miss Betty Laine singled out that comedy was probably my thing. I have her to thank for helping develop that talent.”
Alex Jones
We were so thrilled to feature incredible teachers and school staff on our show. We all know the value of a great teacher, and every one (of these award winners) has proven themselves to be both outstanding and inspirational.
JJ Chalmers
I know from my own experience there is no greater privilege than educating and inspiring young people. Plus there is no greater responsibility than shaping future generations.
Dame Helen Mirren
“My journey began with a great teacher. Mrs Welding was the kind of teacher that made every lesson a pleasure. She was not a noisy, performing kind of teacher, full of charisma and character”
Nadiya Hussain MBE
“We didn’t bake at home but my Home Economics teacher Mrs Marshall planted that seed in my head – I remember watching her at lunchtimes and being inspired to bake. Thank you Mrs Marshall! “
Dame Arlene Phillips
‘I’d like to thank my amazing teacher, Molly Malloy. She taught me American Jazz when I first came to London. Quite simply she changed my life and we became great friends and I followed her every move. I can’t thank her enough for what she did for me.’
Stephen Fry
‘All teachers everywhere I send you my love, because I know the marking, the deadlines, the backlogs, all these things you’ve been engaged with…it’s just people getting on with it and getting their heads down, believing in what they do, encouraging others, inspiring all the things you do… I just want you to know it is appreciated.’
Giovanna Fletcher
‘My experience of home-schooling would not have been as smooth as it was had it not been for the teachers and staff at my children’s school. I can’t thank them enough, my respect (and I already respected them a lot!) and love for them has skyrocketed!’
Boris Johnson
‘I want to thank Mr Hammond a wonderful teacher who revealed Homer to me many years ago and a fantastic guy called Mr Fox who -I don’t know if he thought I was in need of remedial help or he thought I had potential- but he took me into the library and gave me some books and it made such a big difference.’
Mehreen Baig
‘Teaching is not easy as many people are realising, that one title encompasses so many different roles.’
Bobby Seagull
‘As well as being a part-time Maths teacher and a great advocate for all aspects of education, I’m really keen for my fellow teachers across the UK to get the recognition they deserve. Teachers are unsung heroes who do far more than stand up in front of a class. They are mentors who change lives through inspiring the next generation.’
