Two Staff Members from The Bedford College Group go for Gold at National Teaching Awards

In November, The Bedford College Group will be represented by two teachers nominated for Gold at the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards 2025.

Based in Northamptonshire, Shona McFadyen, Teacher of Biology (A Level) at The Corby Sixth Form, has already won Silver for the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year 2025 award.

Shona joined The Corby Sixth Form when it opened in August 2023 and has been instrumental in shaping the science curriculum, fostering academic excellence and creating a culture of compassion, awareness and social responsibility. Her personal experiences enrich her teaching, making science relatable, engaging and deeply impactful.  

Shona’s lesson design prioritises student learning, ensuring lessons are immersive and thought-provoking. By demonstrating science’s presence in everyday life, she forges tangible links between theory and real-world applications. Her dynamic teaching approach makes science come alive, building on foundational understanding before introducing complex biological concepts.   

Shona’s journey to teaching is remarkable. Diagnosed with liver failure and cancer early in life, she lived in constant anticipation of a life-saving transplant, which she received in late 2022. Throughout school and university, she balanced her studies with the uncertainty of her health. She openly shares her story in assemblies, illustrating resilience as a way of life rather than a buzzword. Her students learn first-hand the value of perseverance and goal-setting, inspired by her lived experience.

Deputy Head Teacher of The Corby Sixth Form, part of The Bedford College Group, David Chilver added: “Shona embodies the very best of Further Education teaching. She is an outstanding educator, an inspirational mentor, and a catalyst for student success and community engagement. Her work has transformed the student experience, motivating students to aim high and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their goals. Her impact will resonate for years to come. I am very proud that she has been shortlisted for this award”.

As a Group, we are extremely proud to be showcasing our staff and the high quality of teaching standards at a national level. We wish both Jess and Shona the very best of luck at the November 2025 Gold ceremony.