Darwen teacher enjoys crowning moment at Palace

That was until April when Greg received an invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, followed shortly after by another inviting him to meet HRH King Charles during the May event.

Greg, from Oswaldtwistle, was invited after winning the Unsung Heroes category of the 2024 Pearson National Teaching Awards last November, receiving his award live on The One Show from presenter Alex Jones.

The award recognised his inspirational work at the school, which provides education for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and autistic spectrum conditions. In particular, he established a ‘forest school’ where he helps students to learn key skills almost without realising – while also developing practical, social and emotional skills as they work together in the outdoors.

Greg attended the garden party with long-term partner Nicola, who also works at the school as a teaching assistant. 

"Winning the teaching award was a big enough surprise – but I was absolutely amazed to receive the invitation to meet the King at Buckingham Palace. That sort of thing doesn’t normally happen to people like me!" 

"I chatted to King Charles and Queen Camilla about my award, and they asked what we did here at Aurora Woodlands, so I explained and told them all about the forest school. The King acknowledged that it was a great achievement. We talked about the boys and how they were benefiting from attending the provision. The day was absolutely amazing.”

Also attending the event was R.E.A.L. Education's Director of Education, Adrian O'Malley, who was invited in recognition of his work in Education and Skills.

He said: “It was a wonderful occasion and great honour to be recognised for the work that I do and to represent our organisation at this prestigious event. There were so many people there who do amazing jobs across the Education and Skills sector who had a fantastic time in the beautiful grounds of Buckingham Palace.”

Earlier this month (May), The Aurora Group announced it had acquired  R.E.A.L. Education.