Nescot’s unsung hero receives national Teaching Award

Head-and-shoulders portrait of Security Lead Aaron, wearing a dark zip-up fleece and a red lanyard, facing the camera against a softly blurred indoor background with neutral tones.

Security Team Lead, Aaron, highly commended in the 2026 National Teaching Awards Unsung Hero category


Huge congratulations to our Security Team Lead, Aaron, who has been Highly Commended in the Award for Unsung Hero in the The Pearson National Teaching Awards.

This year, the judges received an exceptionally strong field of entries from educational settings across the UK, and we are delighted that Aaron has been Highly Commended in the Unsung Hero category.

While responsible for keeping our college community safe, Aaron does so much more.

He helps students stay in education, supports them in difficult moments and creates a culture of calm, respect and care. He notices the student standing alone, the colleague having a difficult day, the situation that could escalate if left unchecked. He takes the time to get to know students, learning their stories and what support they might need. He listens without judgement and treats everyone with respect.

Aaron also leads his team with empathy, integrity and a genuine desire to see others succeed, building confidence, encouraging development and modeling the values he promotes. His impact is felt every day by students who feel seen and supported, and by a college community that benefits from his empathy and commitment.

A headshot of a person wearing a dark fleece jacket and red lanyard against a softly blurred indoor background. The Nescot logo appears in the top left corner. On the right, a Pearson National Teaching Awards "Highly Commended" badge is displayed. The text reads: "HIGHLY COMMENDED", "Aaron Calliste", and "UNSUNG HERO", alongside a ribbon award icon. The layout highlights recognition in the Unsung Hero category.

His impact is felt every day by students who feel seen and supported, and by a college community that benefits from his compassion and dedication. Aaron is the definition of an Unsung Hero – someone who consistently goes the extra mile and whose daily actions make a profound difference, often unnoticed but deeply felt.

A truly deserved recognition for someone whose everyday acts of kindness change lives 💜

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.