Posted June 2021.
Category: Alumni, Awards, Careers, Engineering, Notices
A teacher who has helped thousands of students achieve their dream careers has been shortlisted for a national award.
WMG Academy Coventry’s Head of Engineering Andrew Kyprianou – known as My Kyp – has made it through to the final of the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Mr Kyp, a former engineer who turned to teaching so he could share his knowledge of the subject with younger generations, has worked at the academy in Mitchell Avenue, Canley, since it opened in 2014. His talent was recognised early on and he rose to become Head of Engineering and Design within a year.
Mr Kyp said: “To be shortlisted for this award is overwhelming and very humbling. It’s the whole team at WMG Academy that makes the difference to the students. Together we give them the real-world experience they need for a successful career and when they come back to see us we can see we’ve made a real difference to them.”
Since joining WMG Academy, Mr Kyp has brought the academy’s ‘business-like, business-led’ ethos to life, by enlisting companies to set bespoke projects to be assessed as part of the curriculum. These have included a wind turbine project with National Grid, a cycle paths survey with Balfour Beatty, materials testing with Sarginsons and a sun visor design assignment for Aston Martin.
Mr Kyp organises opportunities for students, including trips to companies, guest visitors and hands-on activities. During the pandemic has continued to run all interactions virtually. He does all this while continuing to teach GCSE, BTEC and A-levels to students aged 14-19.
Mrs Kate Tague, Chief Executive Officer of WMG Academy Trust said: “Mr Kyp has been an inspirational teacher to thousands of students over the years and has helped kickstart their careers.
“As well as working closely with students on their technical skills and academic knowledge, Mr Kyp introduces students to employers, gives them real-world experiences and works with them to ensure they have the best start possible in their adult life.
“Every school should have a Mr Kyp, but fortunately for us, he chose WMG Academy!”
Student Lousha Carey, 16, said: “Mr Kyp deserves this award as he has motivated me from the day I started in year 10 with my engineering work. When i had no faith myself he believed in me because he knew I had so much potential. Now that potential is shining through and I have so much more confidence and hope within myself that I can become the best female engineer there is! Being his student for three years now has changed my life.”
Sixth former Bhavneet Banwait, 18, said: “Mr Kyp has a really good relationship with his students and remains professional whilst still making lessons enjoyable and not pressuring us. He’s also highly motivating and pushes his students to produce the best work possible. I believe he’s one of the best teachers in the country.”
Student Daniel Gaggini, 17, said: “I believe Mr Kyp deserves to win the award due to his dedication to me and my class before, during and after the lockdown by providing engaging and interactive lessons and always being happy to answer questions no matter the time.”
Mr Kyp’s students have gone on to work for organisations including the BBC, Ministry of Defence, Aston Martin, Dyson, Airbus and Rolls-Royce.