Pearson National Teaching Awards Gold Winner for FE Lecturer of the Year 2025 - Lisa Charles
Lisa Charles is surprised by The One Show film crew with the news of her Gold Award win.
Lisa Charles (centre) along with presenter Matt Allwright and Janine Shearing, The Royal Marsden Hospital from The Royal Marsden
Nescot hairdressing lecturer has won the Gold Award for ‘Further Education Lecturer of the Year’ in this year's prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards. On Friday, the BBC’s ‘The One Show’ announced that Lisa Charles, who originally won the Silver Award in June, had taken the top spot due to her outstanding teaching, innovation and charity work. On Saturday she attended a glittering award ceremony in London.
As well as being an inspirational mentor, Lisa was recognised in part for setting up projects to teach students while they helped others in the local community. Her work with charities and in local hospitals enabled students to offer a boost to homeless people and geriatric ward patients, while she also established a pop-up hair and beauty salon to pamper children undergoing chemotherapy and their families. Through these initiatives, students had the opportunity to gain valuable hairdressing experience while offering dignity and confidence to people facing difficult circumstances.
In late November, a film crew from The One Show crashed one of Lisa’s lectures to surprise her with the news that she’d won the Gold Award. Presenter Matt Allwright arrived at Nescot along with some of Lisa’s previous students, to hand over the trophy. Lisa also received congratulatory video messages from both Stephen Fry and Jools Holland - stars she’s long admired. With the filming a closely guarded secret, it was all a bit of a shock.
Lisa Charles said: “I was gobsmacked when the film crew burst into my lesson. With so many incredible nominees nationwide, I feel incredibly honoured to have won this award. I’m so proud of my students, who’ve wholeheartedly supported those in hospital or the homeless shelter, really understanding how a bit of care and compassion can make a big impact. Nescot have been brilliant too, letting me run with all my ideas and allowing students that real world experience that’s so valuable.”
Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO at Nescot said: “Lisa is an incredible teacher and mentor, who helps Nescot students be the best they can be while also being an innovative force for good. Her community projects are about hope and connection, as much as they’re about haircuts. People feel seen and cared about, and each student who learns from Lisa aims to follow in her footsteps combining professionalism, skill and compassion. Lisa’s work has a positive ripple effect, and this gold award highlights how she changes lives far beyond the classroom.”
Kathryn Stephen, Vice Principal at Nescot said:
“Lisa’s inspiring ideas, energy and enthusiasm made nominating her for this award a no-brainer. Lisa is always thinking of and helping others, so to see her publicly rewarded for all she does is really special. Her students and colleagues here at Nescot were over the moon to see her win.”
Lisa began her career as a hairdressing apprentice and went on to work in top salons before discovering her passion for teaching. Over the past 13 years, she has inspired hundreds of students at Nescot, creating an inclusive environment where learners of all ages and backgrounds can thrive. Lisa also set up a collaboration with high street hairdressing chain Toni & Guy, so Nescot students could benefit from workshops, professional training and employment opportunities.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration that honours the incredible achievements and transformative impact of educators. Run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity, and sponsored by Pearson, the world’s lifelong learning company, the awards shine a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.
Nescot offers a wide range of courses for school leavers and adults, including Animal Care, Hair & Beauty, Computing and IT, Construction, Performing Arts, Childcare and Health & Social Care. To find out more about studying at Nescot call 020 8394 3038, visit www.nescot.ac.uk or email adviceteam@nescot.ac.uk