Trinity’s Inspiring Teacher Award

First-year undergraduates at Trinity are invited to nominate a teacher or careers adviser who inspired their passion for a subject, encouraged them to apply to Cambridge, or supported them through the application process.

Three awards will be made this year – with £500 going to the teacher’s school or college and £75 in book tokens to the students whose nominations are successful.

Trinity’s Inspiring Teachers Scheme recognises the role teachers play in guiding, motivating and assisting students in applying to Cambridge. Tutor for Admissions Arts and Humanities, Dr Louise Merrett, said:

The role teachers play is crucial and one which we are keen to recognise and acknowledge. We are very grateful for the part that teachers play in inspiring students to delve into their subject, learning in general and encouraging their aspirations to study at University. 

Last academic year, Alice Kirk successfully nominated Rachel McQuail, her French teacher at Rawlins Academy. The Modern and Medieval Languages student said:

Ms McQuail consistently went above and beyond, arranging interview practice outside Rawlins, providing extra work and suggested reading, and ensuring my application was as strong as it could be.

Most importantly, she made sure that I knew that coming from a state school with results far below the national average wasn’t a valid reason not to apply. I can’t express my gratitude for her support and encouragement!                     

Claire Bennet, who teaches Economics at Richard Huish College in Somerset was nominated by Ryan Pringle, now in his second year of Land Economy at Trinity. He said:

Rather than treating me as a good student with a small possibility of Oxbridge, she treated me as a good student with a small possibility of NOT getting an Oxbridge place.

She also fuelled my passion for economics – taking me beyond the scope of the course in her own time by arranging an Economist subscription, providing me with extra materials and frequently discussing controversial economic issues.

I owe my place at Trinity to Claire Bennet without any doubt.

The deadline for nominations is 10 November.