Lifetime achievement award recognises Alex’s dedication

Published: Tuesday 23 June 2026

Tinto Head Teacher Alex Stark is pictured at the front door of the school surrounded by eight of the school's pupils. The school name can be seen in the background.

A Head Teacher with more than 40 years of experience has won a prestigious national award.

Alex Stark, Head Teacher of Tinto Primary School and Nursery Class, has been named a Silver award winner of the Lifetime Achievement category in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards for their incredible impact on their school and community.

Alex is among 99 outstanding teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff, and education settings honoured as Silver Winners in this year’s awards on National Thank a Teacher Day, in recognition of their dedication and impact.

She will now be in with the chance of winning the prestigious Gold award, which will be announced at an awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.

Alex said: “I am deeply honoured and privileged to have been awarded the Pearson Silver Lifetime Achievement Award at the end of a 40-year teaching career, 27 of which have been spent serving as a Head Teacher.

“This award means a great deal to me, not only as recognition of my own journey in education, but as a reflection of the many wonderful colleagues, pupils, families and communities I have had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career.

“I am sincerely grateful to have been nominated and would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the staff and pupils of Tinto , past and present colleagues and members of the local community for the incredible effort, care and dedication they put into preparing and supporting the nomination.

“Their kind words and unwavering support made the experience truly special.

“While I am proud to receive this award, I see it as a shared achievement that celebrates the commitment, hard work and achievements of everyone at Tinto, whose passion and enthusiasm continue to inspire me every day.

“It is a wonderful way to celebrate my career as I begin my retirement.”

This image shows Tinto Primary School head teacher Alex Stark receiving her lifetime achievement award from Executive Director of Education Resources, Lyndsay McRoberts

Executive Director of Education Resources, Lyndsay McRoberts, said: “Huge congratulations to Alex on this award – she is so deserving of it and has been a huge inspiration and influence to so many people over the years, both the staff who have worked alongside her and the young people who have had the privilege of being led by her.

“It’s a fitting way to mark her retirement and I thank her for her years of dedication. She will be sorely missed but I wish her all the best for the future.

National Thank a Teacher Day, and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom.”

Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, said: “We are proud to take this opportunity to say thank you to the teachers up and down the country who make our schools so special.”