Champagne corks were popping last Tuesday when Kidderminster College Lecturer, Lynn Forth, reached the national short list for a much coveted QIA STAR Award. The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of unsung heroes in the Further Education sector Lynn's was one of 3,000 nominations nationwide. Nominees come from workplaces all over the learning sector, from community-based providers to adult education institutions: each one deserving of recognition for making a difference to the lives of learners through their work.

The Midlands Regional Event took place at Birmingham's College of Food, Tourism and Creative Sudies, where Lynn proudly accepted her certificate for being an Outstanding Teaching, Training and Learning Practitioner,' from Central TV News presenter Joanne Malin.

"I am absolutely delighted to have received this prestigious award. It means a great deal knowing that people believe that you have made a difference to their lives through your teaching. It makes it all very worthwhile," Lynn, who is lead tutor for teacher training at the college, stated.

Andy Dobson, Head of Quality Improvement and Information Services, explained why Lynn was nominated for the award, "Lynn has made a tremendous impact not just on success rates in the college, but also students' lives: success rates on teacher training programmes have risen to much higher levels than before, with almost 100% success with the College's own staff. Even more pleasing is the fact that her students have become ambassadors for her enthusiastic, often humorous, and always highly professional approach to teaching and learning. The proportion of good or better lessons observed in the college this year shows a 10% improvement on last year and records show that it is precisely the skills being taught by Lynn that are making the difference."

Lynn has been teaching Kidderminster students for over 25 year, motivating learners for whom the barriers were a lack of confidence in their own academic ability. Many local residents may recall, or indeed have attended, her extremely popular Women Returners' classes over the years. She also champions Purple Week' at the College, where learners are encouraged to wear purple and celebrate the craft of poetry.

Colleague Cath Russell, who proposed Lynn's nomination, added, "Lynn has not only shown her belief in her students, but has also supported and encouraged them with great discretion and enabled them to achieve at a higher level than they believed possible." Another tutor on her course commented, "Lynn's enthusiasm is infectious but her greatest talent is reassurance, that it's OK to get things wrong, you are not expected to be the "perfect teacher", don't worry - if it doesn't work just keep trying."

Lynn will be attending a gala dinner at Old Billingsgate in London on November 26th, when the winners will be announced.