Shortlisted for the National Tutoring Awards 2026: A Moment I Still Can’t Quite Believe

When I saw my name announced during the YouTube reveal party for the National Tutoring Awards 2026, I could hardly contain my emotions. I cried, screamed, and jumped around the room in disbelief. It felt like a dream I never dared to imagine was coming true. Even now, weeks later, I still cannot believe I was shortlisted in the “Post-16 Tutor” category by The Tutors’ Association. This moment marks a significant milestone in my journey as a law tutor, and I want to share this experience with you—my students, their families, and fellow educators—because this achievement belongs to all of us.

“I genuinely do not think I would have managed my degree without her guidance and support.”

“She hasn’t just helped me study law — she has helped me build a future within it.”

How It All Began: A Networking Event in Liverpool

Earlier this year, I attended a Tutors’ Association networking event in Liverpool. At the time, I was eager to connect with other tutors and learn from their experiences, but I never imagined that this step would lead me to become part of such an incredible professional community. The warmth and support I found there were beyond anything I expected. It was clear that this was a group of people who genuinely care about education, professional growth, and the success of their learners.

Joining this community has been one of the most rewarding parts of my tutoring career. The encouragement from fellow tutors, the sharing of best practices, and the collective passion for teaching law have inspired me every day. Being shortlisted for the National Tutoring Awards feels like a recognition not only of my work but also of the community that has supported me along the way.

What the Shortlisting Means to Me

The process of being shortlisted was rigorous and thorough. Each application was individually assessed and judged through a structured scoring system. The judges looked closely at evidence of impact, professionalism, advanced teaching practice, and learner outcomes. Knowing that my work was evaluated with such care and fairness makes this recognition even more meaningful.

This shortlist is not just a personal achievement; it reflects the hard work and dedication I put into helping my students succeed in their law studies.

Over the years, I’ve worked with students at every stage of the legal education journey — from overwhelmed A-Level students preparing for their first law exams to postgraduate learners defending Level 7 dissertations and aspiring solicitors navigating the SQE.

Some students arrive convinced they are “not academic enough” for law. Others are neurodivergent learners struggling within rigid educational systems. Some are mature students returning after a decade away from education. Others are balancing full-time work, parenting, burnout, illness, or disability alongside demanding legal studies.

Watching those same students later achieve First-class marks, Distinctions, training contracts, paralegal roles, and qualification into the legal profession is one of the greatest privileges of my career. It also highlights the importance of high-quality tutoring in shaping confident, knowledgeable learners who can navigate complex legal concepts.

One student who returned to education after more than ten years and studied whilst managing autism described finally feeling “supported rather than overwhelmed” and now regularly achieves First-class marks.

Another international postgraduate student, initially worried she might fail her Master’s entirely after struggling with UK legal writing conventions, ultimately achieved a Distinction.

One learner who began with consistent 2:2 grades later achieved multiple Firsts and now averages marks in the high 70s.

Gratitude to The Tutors’ Association and the Wider Community

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to The Tutors’ Association, the organisers, judges, sponsors, and all the finalists who have made this event so special. The effort that goes into running the National Tutoring Awards is immense, and it shows a deep commitment to celebrating excellence in tutoring.

To my fellow finalists, congratulations. It is an honour to be recognised alongside such talented and passionate educators. To the wider tutoring community, thank you for your ongoing support, encouragement, and for creating an environment where tutors can thrive and learners can flourish.

The National Tutoring Awards Ceremony and What’s Next

The National Tutoring Awards ceremony will take place later this year, where the winners in each category will be announced. It promises to be a wonderful celebration of tutoring excellence across the UK. I am looking forward to the event with excitement and hope to share more updates with you soon.

Alongside the main awards, I have also been entered into the People’s Choice Award 2026. This award is separate from the judges’ decisions and is decided by public vote. It means a lot to me to have the chance to connect with the wider community and receive support from students, parents, and colleagues alike.

How You Can Support Me in the People’s Choice Award

If you feel inspired by my journey and want to support my nomination, voting is simple and open to everyone. You can visit the National Tutoring Awards People’s Choice voting page to cast your vote. Every vote counts and helps highlight the importance of dedicated tutors in the lives of learners.

Please consider sharing this post with friends, family, and anyone who values education. Your support means the world to me and helps spread the message about the impact of quality tutoring.

Reflecting on the Journey and Looking Ahead

Being shortlisted for the National Tutoring Awards 2026 is a moment of celebration, but it is also a time for reflection. It reminds me why I became a law tutor in the first place: to make a difference in the lives of students, to help them unlock their potential, and to guide them through the challenges of legal studies.

This recognition fuels my passion to continue improving my teaching methods, to stay connected with the tutoring community, and to support every learner who walks through my door. I am grateful for this milestone and excited for what lies ahead.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

Whether I ultimately win or not, being shortlisted already feels like a huge moment — not just professionally, but personally.

It represents years of building something rooted in ethics, analytical rigour, accessibility, and genuine care for students navigating one of the most demanding academic and professional fields.

To every student who trusted me during the panic before exams, the dissertation breakdowns, the “I think I want to quit law” moments, and the celebrations when results finally arrived — thank you.

This recognition belongs to all of us.

For more information about the awards and to see the full shortlist, please visit the National Tutoring Awards main page and the 2026 shortlist page.