St Mark's teacher shortlisted for prestigious teaching award

A teacher at St Mark’s Church of England Academy in Mitcham has been shortlisted for an award to recognise his work to help students to develop a greater understanding of democracy and to become proactive citizens in society.

Mackenzie Dawson-Hunt has been shortlisted for the Citizenship Mentor of the Year award in the Citizenship Teaching Awards, run by the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT).

The ACT Citizenship Teaching Awards recognise and celebrate schools, teachers and organisations who have shown commitment to Citizenship education and represent its core values. 

St Mark’s offers Citizenship Studies as a GCSE option for students, giving them the knowledge and skills to engage critically with current affairs, understand their responsibilities and rights and participate in public life in a positive way.

Students also undertake a citizenship action project so that they can apply their theoretical knowledge to a real-world issue in a practical and hands-on way.  

St Mark’s is committed to helping its students become responsible, active citizens and this aligns with the school's Christian values of love, hope and trust.

Mr Dawson-Hunt, who is also head of Personal, Social, Health and Education, known as 'Lifeology' at St Mark's to reflect its importance, has been invited to attend a special ceremony at Portcullis House in Westminster in June to find out if he will be named the Citizenship Mentor of the Year.

The ceremony will see teachers, school leaders and subject supporters gather from across the UK to acknowledge the work of individuals and organisations that go the extra mile to support students and offer effective Citizenship education.

Mackenzie Dawson-Hunt, Head of Lifeology at St Mark’s, said: “I am honoured and humbled to be shortlisted for this award by the Association for Citizenship Teaching.

“I am passionate about the power of Citizenship education and mentorship to empower our students to engage thoughtfully and responsibly in our local community and in the wider society.

“In a world that needs responsible and active citizens more than ever, it is a great privilege to be able to shape future generations every day through our work as teachers.”

Hannah Fahey, Executive Headteacher at St Mark’s, said: “This nomination reflects the profound influence that Mr Dawson-Hunt has both on our students and the wider community; his commitment to Citizenship education is truly exemplary.

“We are very proud to see him shortlisted for this award, which deservedly recognises the dedication and care he demonstrates to all our young people, reflecting our academy’s Christian values of love, hope and trust.”