Meet the Teacher of the Year 2025 Shortlist

From over 400 nominations to just a handful of finalists — we’re thrilled to reveal the Teacher of the Year 2025 shortlist. 
 

Each one of them has made a lasting difference — from helping pupils find joy in learning again, to supporting families through tough times, to creating classrooms full of curiosity, kindness and care. These are the teachers who don’t just teach — they inspire, uplift and lead with heart. 

It’s time to announce the shortlisted entries... 

Meet the shortlist for 2025 

Nicola Smith, Crookhorn College 

Nicola Smith, a dedicated teacher at Crookham, has been nominated by Year 11 student Eve Smith. Eve, who has been living with brain cancer since she was diagnosed at age 10, credits Miss Smith’s unwavering support for helping her not only get through secondary school but also reach the milestone of attending prom—something once thought impossible. 
 

Mrs. Richards, Kings Park Academy 

Reception teacher Mrs. Richards has been nominated for her kind, inclusive, and hands-on approach to teaching. 

Parent Ernett Audrey Sauti and her son Don put Mrs. Richards forward for the award, praising her for going above and beyond to support Don, who has severe food allergies, delayed speech, and developmental challenges. 

“Mrs. Richards creates meaningful learning experiences, from Welly Walks to trips to the post office,” said Ernett. “She visited us at home to understand Don’s needs and helped him thrive socially and emotionally.” 

Mrs. Davies, Brimpton Primary School 

Mrs. Davies, headteacher of Brimpton Church of England Primary School, has been nominated by her student, 11-year-old Brodie Russell, and his mum Nicola Russell, for her dedication to nurturing pupils through music—including organising fundraising efforts and rehearsals to take over half the school’s children to perform at the O2 Arena as part of the Young Voices concert. 

Mrs. Rolfe, Hyde Heath Infant School 

Nicknamed “Miss Honey” by parents, Mrs. Rolfe has been nominated by 5-year-old Haider Rahman and his mother, Sanam Shabab. Mrs. Rolfe is praised for sparking a love of learning in her pupils through hands-on experiences like feeding birds, caring for frogspawn, and leading the school’s eco-council. Parents say she “goes the extra mile,” creating a nurturing and inspiring environment where every child feels valued. 

Mr. Chapman, Scotch Orchard Primary School 

Acting headteacher Mr. James Chapman has been nominated by Paige Christie-Joy and her mum, Robyn Christie, for his transformational leadership at Scotch Orchard Primary School, where he’s been praised for revitalising the school’s reading culture, painting the library himself over half-term, launching reading incentives like weekly hot chocolate raffles, and championing inclusion and support for children with additional needs. 

Mehreen Thahia, Hatching Dragons’ City Branch Kindergarten and Nursery School 

Mehreen, a nursery teacher at Hatching Dragons’ City branch, has been nominated after providing outstanding care and emotional support to three-year-old Jude during his recovery from a brain bleed, ensuring he felt included, reassured, and supported both in and out of the classroom. 
 

What happens next?  
The Teacher of the Year 2025 winner will be announced on 4 July, live on Fun Kids Breakfast with George. 

We’ll be sharing each nominee’s story across our social channels in the run-up to the big reveal. 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to keep up with the countdown. 

And if you’ve got a teacher to thank before term ends, you can still create a Collection Pot today, the easy way to chip in together.