Rob Sweeney

Mr Sweeney is the head of art at Les Beaucamps High School, where he has been teaching for over 20 years. He also started the school’s gardening club, which has now been going for the past six or seven years.
‘It’s an opportunity for the children to be in nature, not just with technology,’ he said. 
‘There is a lot of value in spending time with nature, and a lot to be learnt, there is also sort of an analogy between teaching and gardening.’
One nominator described him as ‘a good listener, understanding and compassionate’.
‘He’s the teacher anyone can go to, he always has his door open and he goes out of his way to build connections with students. 
‘He spends all his time putting together resources and supplies for the art department, he preps materials and researchers for students, just to help,’ they added. 
Another nominator said ‘he greatly cares about pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, and has nothing but empathetic positive regard for everyone he meets.
‘He truly is a special teacher and person.’
Mr Sweeney also holds regular art clubs and gives up one of his lunch breaks every week to help students who are taking art GCSE.