A teacher who sprinkles ‘something special’ in the classroom was crowned Apprentice of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards on 5 December 2019 at The Grand Hotel in Brighton.

This was a new award introduced this year at the prestigious black tie event sponsored by the SE Apprenticeship Ambassador Network. The event also served as the perfect opportunity for Apprenticeship Ambassadors to network with other Sussex employers to raise awareness of the value that Apprenticeships can bring to an organisation.

Michael Lowe was the worthy winner. Michael successfully completed his Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship while at Goldstone Primary School and he is now a fully qualified teacher at the school.

His employer, Chris Pearson, was thrilled: “We are truly delighted that Michael’s well-earned success has been recognised with this prestigious award. Michael is a highly valued member of his school community, who have supported him to undertake this employment-based route into teaching. The teacher apprenticeship is a growing, exciting, new route into teaching that offers school employees the chance to retrain and become outstanding practitioners like Michael.”

Michael said: “The apprenticeship really has given me the opportunity to realise a dream I have had for a long time. Knowing I could still fulfil my responsibilities as a dad and qualify as a teacher was life changing.”

Michael’s award was presented by Elizabeth Flegg, Schools Apprenticeship Consultant for West Sussex County Council and joint Chair of the SE Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

Michael Lowe (holding his award) with Chris Pearson, Head at Goldstone School.