National Recognition for Drapers’ Maylands Primary ‘Unsung Hero’

Drapers’ Maylands Primary School is celebrating after its Artist in Residence, Leninger Sarkis, was named a Silver Winner in the Unsung Hero category of the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.

The national award recognises individuals who make an exceptional contribution to education and acknowledges the remarkable impact Leninger has had on children, families and the wider school community.

Leninger’s journey at Maylands began more than a decade ago when he initially volunteered to support the school. Having never previously worked in education, he quickly demonstrated a natural ability to connect with children, particularly those who found the demands of school challenging. Through practical experiences, meaningful relationships and a genuine belief in every child, he has helped countless pupils build confidence, develop resilience and rediscover a love of learning.

As Artist in Residence and Forest School Leader, Leninger has transformed both the physical environment and the experiences available to children. Working alongside pupils, he has designed and built play equipment for younger children, created outdoor learning spaces, developed wildlife habitats, supported community tree-planting projects and helped shape the school's extensive Learning Beyond the Classroom provision. Children learn practical life skills through real experiences, including safe tool use, shelter building, fire lighting, growing food, caring for animals and managing woodland spaces.

Much of Leninger’s work reflects the role of an Atelierista within the Reggio Emilia approach, the educational philosophy that helped shape the vision for Maylands when the school was founded. Like an Atelierista, he works alongside children as a guide, helping them explore ideas, solve problems, design, create and express themselves through meaningful hands-on experiences. Whether building play equipment, caring for animals, developing outdoor learning spaces or creating environmental projects, he enables children to learn through doing, often uncovering strengths and talents that might otherwise remain hidden.

His work closely aligns with the school's Thrive approach, helping children feel safe, valued and successful. For many pupils who struggle to access learning in traditional ways, the opportunities Leninger creates become a turning point. His instinctive ability to truly see and understand children allows him to build trust and connection without reliance on formal intervention programmes, helping them re-engage with school and experience success.

Such is Leninger’s commitment to the school that he and his wife made the life-changing decision to leave their established life in Costa Rica and return to the UK permanently because of their belief in the school's vision and the children it serves.

"Leninger embodies everything we value at Maylands. He has an extraordinary ability to connect with children, helping them to believe in themselves and achieve things they never thought possible. Through his kindness, creativity and unwavering dedication, he has changed the lives of many children and helped shape the unique environment that makes our school so special. We could not be more proud of his achievement and the recognition this award brings to the incredible work Lenin does every day."

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Leninger is among a select group of educators and support staff recognised nationally as Silver Winners in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. The awards celebrate excellence across education and recognise those who go above and beyond to make a lasting difference to young people's lives. As a result of this achievement, Leninger will now be considered for the prestigious Gold Award, with the winners due to be announced later this year.

The school will celebrate Leninger’s achievement on National Thank a Teacher Day with a special whole-school assembly, where pupils and staff will come together to recognise his contribution. Children will share memories of their experiences working with him, present a handmade keepsake created during Forest School sessions, and perform a special song in his honour.

For the children, families and staff of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School, Leninger Sarkis is far more than an Artist in Residence. He is a mentor, role model and source of inspiration whose legacy can be seen not only in the projects he has created, but in the confidence, resilience and sense of belonging he has helped nurture in generations of children.

The pupils at Drapers' Maylands created a special video on Thank a Teacher Day which was shared at Mr Sarkis' celebration: