We are delighted to announce our shortlisted finalists
The judging for the NASBTT Awards 2026 is now complete and we are delighted to confirm this year’s shortlisted finalists. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted; this is a wonderful recognition of your dedication, expertise and contribution to Initial Teacher Training (ITT).
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry and took the time to recognise the work of colleagues, teams and organisations across our sector. It has been wonderful to see the breadth of work taking place across the ITT sector and to celebrate the dedication, creativity and commitment reflected in the entries. While we can only name a small number of finalists and winners, we want to acknowledge and thank everyone whose contributions continue to make a difference to trainees, colleagues and the wider sector.
We are also grateful to our judges for the time and care they have given to reviewing entries.
Innovation in Technology Award
This award recognises an Initial Teacher Training provider which has embedded technology in a purposeful and impactful way to enhance the quality of training and the experience of trainee teachers.
- Bishop Challoner Training School SCITT (BCTSA SCITT)
- Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training
- Nottingham Torch SCITT
This award is proudly sponsored by Proxima
IDEA Award (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility)
This award recognises an Initial Teacher Training provider or partnership that has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility within its provision.
- Kent and Medway Training
- SCITT in East London Schools (SCITTELS)
- Teach First
This award is proudly sponsored by Iris Connect
Administrator of the Year Award
This award recognises an individual who provides exceptional administrative or operational support within an initial teacher training provider or partnership. It celebrates those whose work behind the scenes enables high-quality training to run smoothly and who make a tangible difference to trainees, colleagues and partners.
Due to a tie in judges’ rankings of entries, this award has 4 shortlisted finalists
- Angela Blackburn, Associated Merseyside Partnership SCITT
- Michelle Dodman, Active Teacher Training (Ambition Teacher Training)
- Rachel Fagan, Sutton SCITT
- Sefika Sakalli, Kent and Medway Training
This award is proudly sponsored by NASBTT
Mentor of the Year Award
This award recognises an individual mentor, or mentoring team, who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of trainee teachers. It celebrates those who go beyond expectations to provide high-quality support, challenge and professional guidance, helping trainees to grow in confidence, skills and identity as teachers.
Due to a tie in judges’ rankings of entries, this award has 4 shortlisted finalists
- Andrea Morgan, Bishop Challoner Training School SCITT (BCTSA SCITT)
- James Abley, Academy Transformation Trust (Ambition Teacher Training)
- Professional Mentor Team, Catholic Teacher Training @ Wigan and West Lancashire
- Tamsin Preston, Cornwall SCITT
This award is proudly sponsored by Anspear
SCITT of the Year Award
This award recognises a School Centred Initial Teacher Training provider that is delivering high-quality training and making a meaningful contribution to the education system. It celebrates SCITTs that combine strong practice with a clear sense of purpose, partnership and sector leadership.
- Ripley ITT
- STL SCITT (The School of Teaching and Learning)
- United Teaching National SCITT
This award is proudly sponsored by Mosaic
HEI of the Year Award
This award recognises a Higher Education Institution (HEI) Teacher Training provider that is delivering high-quality training and making a meaningful contribution to the education system. It celebrates HEI's that combine strong practice with a clear sense of purpose, partnership and sector leadership.
- Newcastle University
- Teesside University
- University of Wolverhampton
This award is proudly sponsored by Mosaic
Services to the Sector Award
This award recognises an individual who has made a meaningful and sustained contribution to the Initial Teacher Training sector. Entries should highlight a career or body of work that has had a lasting influence on the quality, reputation or development of ITT, whether at provider, partnership, regional or national level.
- Jo Anderson, Previously Wildern Partnership SCITT, currently University of Winchester
- Katrin Sredzki-Seamer, National Specialist SCITTs
- Victoria Lickley, Red Kite Teacher Training
This award is proudly sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts
