BCoT’s Jan Harris Shortlisted for Top Teaching Award

BCoT is incredibly proud to celebrate AAT accountancy tutor Jan Harris, who was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Inspiring Educator of the Year award at the annual Place to be Proud of Awards. 

While Jan narrowly missed out on the top trophy, her nomination shines a spotlight on an extraordinary educator. At a time when a national shortage of specialised staff has forced many colleges to close their accounting courses, Jan has established BCoT as a thriving regional stronghold for finance training.

Under Jan’s supervision, students consistently score well above the national average. She brings the curriculum concepts to life by using real-world scenarios, helping adult learners confidently master the profession. Level 2 student Alice Shenton shared: "Jan has by far been the best teacher I have ever had. She has so much patience and uses real-life situations to help me grasp tough topics."

Beyond her technical excellence, Jan is a vital safety net for her students, helping them manage exam anxiety and hosting end-of-year celebrations. Her passion for social mobility extends into the local community, where she volunteers for the Citizens Advice Bureau and batch-cooks weekly for the homeless at the Camrose Centre.

An External Quality Assurance inspector noted: "BCoT is incredibly fortunate to have a tutor of this calibre leading their provision."

BCoT Principal  Lorriane Heath added: "An inspiring educator makes students believe they belong in their chosen profession. Jan does exactly that, delivering the results and inspiration that build lifelong careers."

The Place to be Proud of Awards celebrate the extraordinary contributions of individuals, schools, and organisations that make Basingstoke a wonderful place to live and work.