Lincoln Bishop alum and PGCE Secondary History graduate, Piers Pike, has been awarded the DRET Inspiration Award for New Teacher of the Year – after his first year of teaching post PGCE.
After graduating from Lincoln Bishop in June 2024, Mr Pike went on to teach at Barnes Wallis Academy, located in the rural village of Tattershall in Lincolnshire.
The award recognises outstanding early-career teachers who have made a significant and positive impact in their school. Reflecting on the achievement, Piers credited the university’s strong emphasis on subject passion, reflective practice, and supportive mentorship.
Piers said: “I was incredibly honoured to receive the DRET Inspiration Award for New Teacher of the Year, an award which recognises those who have made a strong and positive impact early in their teaching career. It’s a moment I’m deeply proud of, and one that truly reflects the excellent preparation and support I received during my time at Lincoln Bishop University.
“My PGCE year at Lincoln Bishop was extremely informative. The course didn’t just prepare me to teach but helped me to understand what it means to inspire. The emphasis on reflective practice, subject passion, and the sense of community among my cohort help give me the confidence and support I needed to become a good teacher.
“I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Kim Edwards, whose guidance, encouragement, and belief in her trainees make such a lasting difference. Her support throughout the year helped me to grow both personally and professionally, and I’ll always be grateful for the time and care she invests in her historians.
“The award is as much a reflection of the incredible training and mentorship I received at Lincoln Bishop, as it is of my own journey.”
Kim Edwards, Senior lecturer ITE and PGCE History lead, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to congratulate Piers on receiving the DRET Inspiration Award for New Teacher of the Year. This is a truly well-deserved recognition of the impact he is already making in the classroom so early in his career.
“At Lincoln Bishop University we are deeply committed to developing subject specific beginning teachers who are not only confident and reflective practitioners, but who also bring a strong sense of professional identity and purpose to their teaching.
“This award is a testament not only to Piers’ talent and hard work, but also to the power of subject-specific training and sustained mentoring. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing the continued impact he will have as a teacher of history.”
To find out more about studying PGCE Secondary at Lincoln Bishop, please click here!
