It was a night to celebrate for a teacher in Truro as he took home a prize at the Tes Schools Awards, one of the biggest nights in the UK education calendar which was held on Friday, June 17.

Jon Dean from Truro High School for Girls took home the Subject Lead of the Year (Secondary) award.

Jon Dean has transformed a traditional science department into a highly successful, cutting-edge STEM faculty with STEM teaching embedded for all pupils, from 4 to 18 years old.

Last year, a third of sixth-form students were accepted on to medicine or medical-related courses having followed Jon's aspiring medics programme.

Jon leads his team in regular off-timetable days to benefit the school and others through events such as Women in Engineering Day where the school hosts 150 year eight students from local state schools.

Jon is also keen to develop space science and led the school in forming a partnership with the Roseland Observatory.

The school is now home to an observatory and houses the only solar telescope on mainland UK and, thanks to Jon's work, has a weekly astronomy club with students frequently choosing to take a GCSE in astronomy a year early "just for fun."

Judge David James said he was impressed by "the sheer range and scope of his achievements, all coming from a passion for science."

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Jon Dean from Truro High School for Girls said: "This is my 40th year of teaching.

"This award means a lot to me and the pupils I teach.

"My advice to other teachers is to be as inspiring as you can be."

Chief judge of the Tes Schools Awards and Editor of Tes magazine Jon Severs said: "The Tes Schools Awards are the Oscars of education, recognising and celebrating everything that’s great about our schools and school staff.

"We had so many entries from teachers and schools across the country; choosing the winners was no easy task.

"Congratulations to the winning schools and thank you to all school staff who do such vital work every day."

The Tes Schools Awards were held at the Grosvenor Hotel, on London’s Park Lane.

They were held in person for the first time in three years, after two virtual ceremonies.

For the full list of winners of the Tes Schools Awards, visit https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/tes-schools-awards-2022-winners.