Celebrating Mr Turner’s Success at the Kent Education Awards

We are proud to share some exciting news from the Cobham Hall community. Our very own Art teacher, Mr Turner, has been named Secondary School Teacher of the Year in Art at the recent Kent Education Awards - a fantastic achievement and truly well-deserved recognition of his dedication, creativity and passion for teaching.

Mr Turner has made an extraordinary impact within the Art Department at Cobham Hall, inspiring students through a teaching approach that is both innovative and deeply student-focused. His lessons encourage creativity, curiosity and self-expression, while also creating a supportive environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.

At the heart of Mr Turner’s teaching is a commitment to helping students develop confidence and resilience. Whether students are discovering Art for the first time or preparing for advanced creative study, he ensures that each individual is encouraged to explore their own ideas, take creative risks and develop their artistic expression. His inclusive and encouraging approach has helped countless students grow not only as artists, but also as confident and independent learners.

“I’m incredibly honoured to receive the Kent Secondary Teacher of the Year award. Creativity has the power to build confidence, resilience and opportunity, and I’m very lucky to work with such talented students and supportive colleagues every day.” — Mr Turner

Under Mr Turner’s leadership, Art at Cobham Hall continues to flourish. Students are inspired to think ambitiously about their futures, with many pursuing pathways into creative industries and university study. His enthusiasm for the subject and genuine investment in student success have made a lasting impression across the School community.

A recent testament to Mr Turner’s inspiring approach can also be seen in the success of our students. Our talented students, Bond, Lia and Grace, were all shortlisted for the John Downton Art Awards and attended the exhibition in February 2026. As one of the largest and most prestigious young artists’ competitions in Kent, the awards celebrate exceptional creative talent from across the county. Being shortlisted is a remarkable achievement, and each student impressed the judges with their originality, technical skill and distinctive artistic voice.

Looking ahead, we are also delighted that from September 2026, Mr Turner will lead our new International Art and Design Foundation Programme in partnership with NCUK. This exciting one-year programme will provide students with the opportunity to explore a broad range of Art and Design disciplines while developing the academic knowledge and practical skills needed for university and future creative careers around the world.

The programme reflects Mr Turner’s personalised and forward-thinking approach to education, giving students the freedom to develop their creativity while preparing for the next stage of their academic and professional journeys. We are excited to see how his leadership and expertise will continue to shape the experiences of aspiring young artists at Cobham Hall.

Congratulations once again to Mr Turner on his outstanding achievement. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this recognition and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of his work within our School community.