South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has received two Silver Awards at the 2026 Pearson National Teaching Awards. The culinary arts team was named Further Education Team of the Year, and lecturer Stephen McGreevy won Further Education Lecturer of the Year. The college’s Green Skills Team also received a Highly Commended in the Team of the Year category.

The culinary arts team was recognised for its Food Poverty Programme, which integrates social inclusion into the curriculum. Students work with local food banks and community groups, preparing meals, running food demonstrations, and supporting events that raise awareness of food poverty.

Stephen McGreevy, Lead Business Skills Manager at SERC, was honoured for his work in sustainability education. He has developed Level 5 OCN NI qualifications in retrofit coordination and green technology, the first of their kind in Northern Ireland, and oversaw creation of a retrofit training facility that prepares students for careers supporting the transition to net zero.

Tommy Martin, principal and chief executive of SERC, said the awards reflected the college’s everyday work in changing lives and its role in building a stronger, more inclusive society through education and skills.

The awards were announced on National Thank a Teacher Day, 17 June. All 99 Silver winners across the UK will now be considered for Gold Awards, to be presented at a ceremony in London later this year.

SERC has a history of success in the Pearson awards. Its science team won Silver in 2019, the enterprise and entrepreneurship team in 2023, and the engineering team in 2024. Individual lecturers have also been recognised, with previous Silver and Gold awards in various categories.