Made Great In Grimsby Schools Ambassador, Joanne Woodhouse, Flying the Flag at the ‘Fish In School Hero Teacher Awards and Conference’ at Fishmongers Hall, London
June 25, 2025
The event, organised by the Food Teachers Centre, in partnership with The Fishmongers Company included an awards ceremony recognising exceptional teachers and industry leaders whose dedication has been instrumental in the success of the Fish in School Hero programme.
Educators and seafood industry leaders gathered at Fishmongers’ Hall on Friday 20th June for the Fish in School Hero Teacher Awards and Conference, celebrating six years of achievement in training over 1,000 teachers and reaching well over 100,000 pupils, inspiring the next generation of seafood lovers across the UK.
The Fish in School Hero aims to ensure that every child gets the chance to cook, eat and enjoy seafood before they leave school. It is supported by Industry Heros: fishmongers, seafood-loving chefs, suppliers and producers.
Among those the congratulate the award winners, celebrity chef and children’s food advocate Jamie Oliver took the time to record a special message of support and congratulations.
The conference was also a chance for teachers to catch up with the latest evidence on nutrition, sustainability and economy, and get information on careers relevant to pupils and their parents. Keynote speakers included representatives from the prestigious cookery school Leith’s Education, the British Nutrition Foundation, the Marine Stewardship Council ecolabel, and industry body Seafish, all underscoring the importance of educating young people about the environmental, nutritional, and economic value of UK-caught fish. Our Made Great In Grimsby Schools Ambassador was able to share with the 200 teachers in Fishmongers Hall, the engagement opportunities we have provided for schools and young people in North East Lincolnshire, video content we have created and our plans going forwards.
In addition to the awards and conference an exhibition was held to allow teachers and supporters to learn more about our work on a more personal level, including MGIG Aprons, Seafood Maps and A-Z Jobs.
“This initiative is about more than food—it’s about equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills to make sustainable seafood choices that will last them a lifetime” said Louise Davies, Founder of the Food Teachers Centre.
“Now, literally, thousands and thousands of young people across the UK are preparing, cooking and eating more fish because of the programme. It’s a real pleasure to see the change happening nationwide,” said Simon Gray, Fish In School Hero programme leader.
The conference concluded with a call to action from Dan Aherne, CEO of New England Seafood and member of the Fishmongers’ Company, where he called upon the seafood sector to further their support for the programme, helping to build and inspire a new generation of seafood consumers, helping to support our fishing industry and delivering key nutritional benefits to the population.
“This programme is a wonderful example of strength in collaboration for greater good, and I am so pleased by what the seafood and education sectors have achieved together in the past six years. Reaching one quarter of all UK high schools is something to be proud of, but we know that demand is out there, and with the support of industry we hope the next six years will bring even greater reach and impact, in support of good food teaching, which is so vital for young people” said Eleanor Adamson from The Fishmongers Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust.
Many thanks to the Food Teachers Centre and The Fishmongers Company for providing so many teachers with such an outstanding opportunity for networking, CPD and a strengthened understanding of the scale of opportunities for young people in seafood.