Our team reviewed DEC Activity Logs and Annual Review Forms completed by DEC Centres and Adopters in 2023/24 to create a shortlist in four different categories.

We are proud to announce our winners and those shortlisted below:

New DEC Teacher – Winner

Gio epitomises everything you can ask for with a new DEC teacher. He is passionate, enthusiastic, and eager to develop his own skills and knowledge.

He has grown the DEC programme at Balwearie High School in a short period of time, starting in 23/24 with 22 learners accessing the Level 1 qualification and expanding to Level 2 this academic year.

Gio has impressed the team at COYO with his passion to create opportunities for his learners through DEC.

He has attended many hours of CPD provided by COYO, has communicated regularly with the COYO team, and has been a great ambassador for our programme.

Shortlisted in this category:
Alistair Bartleman (St Andrew’s & St Bride’s High School, Scotland)
Ben Oliver-Robinson ( Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, China)

DEC Teacher – Winner

Katie has been a driving force for the huge success of DEC at Les Quennevais School and across the island of Jersey in 23/24.

She is an outstanding and experienced DEC teacher, having taught the programme in three different schools since 2018.

Katie has invested time to develop her knowledge and digital skills, having had no previous experience in construction prior to the DEC programme.

The COYO team have been impressed by her energy, commitment, and ability to inspire. She embodies our vision of an excellent teacher by giving her time freely to support DEC learners and fellow teachers.

Shortlisted in this category:
Sam Buwert (Liberton High School, Scotland)
Scott Harris (Queensferry High School, Scotland)
Simon Forestiero (Highlands College/ Hautlieu School, Jersey)

DEC Partnership – Winner

The partnership between ROK and Hautlieu is in its third year, and has yet again proved incredibly effective in 23/24.

The partnership is a true collaboration, where industry regularly enhance the delivery of the programme in the school.

This is driven by the vision and commitment of Simon Forestiero (Hautlieu School) and Richard De Gruchy (ROK), with 35 learners across DEC level 2 and 3 benefitting from the collaboration.

The COYO team were convinced by the evidence provided in the review forms and activity logs. It was clear that the partnership flourished as a result of regular communication and commitment from both partners.

Shortlisted in this category:
AEW & Ashton on Mersey School (England)
Ingleton Wood/ TJ Evers & Philip Morant School and College (England)
Ryder Architecture & Cronton Sixth Form College (England)
TG Escapes & Stratford upon Avon School (England)

DEC Champion – Winner

Rob has been the driving force of the incredible support provided to Ashton on Mersey School by AEW Architects.

This has involved 21 DEC activities in 23/24, committing to visit the school every two weeks with members of the AEW team. Rob has been proactive in his support of the school and has facilitated many sessions, inspiring the Year 10 learners to achieve DEC Awards through the ‘Design a Home for Everyone’ brief.

AEW have also offered work experience places to learners in 23/24 and hosted an awards ceremony to recognise the learners’ achievements. Rob’s enthusiasm and passion to inspire DEC learners made him a deserving winner of the award.

Shortlisted in this category:
Dan Rostron (Ryder Architecture, England)
Dionne Pereira (Turner & Townsend, UAE)
Emma Robinson (Rochdale Development Agency, England)
Holly Sutherland (Ingleton Wood, England)
Richard De Gruchy (ROK, Jersey)

Congratulations to all our winners and those shortlisted and thank you to all of our amazing teachers and volunteers for a fantastic 2023/24.