Mayoral
Mayor of Walsall celebrates local teacher after live TV national award win
Published on
The Mayor of Walsall has congratulated a local teacher for winning a national award.
Colleen Green, Assistant Headteacher at Beacon Academy in Willenhall was surprised to be presented with Jamie Oliver’s 2025 This Morning’s Lifetime Achievement Award back in June.
Under the impression she was shortlisted for the award, Colleen was visiting ITV’s This Morning Studios where she was surprised by Jamie Oliver himself, to be told she had won the award live on air.
Colleen was nominated by her colleagues for her 55-years of association with Beacon Academy, and her legacy of ‘Cooking with Mrs Green’ sessions.
To celebrate, the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison, invited Colleen and colleagues to visit the Mayor’s Parlour in the Town Hall on Monday 6 October 2025, to congratulate her on her achievement and find out more about her amazing story.
Councillor Louise Harrison said, “Wow, how inspiring is Mrs Green?!
“Colleen has a deep-rooted history and affinity to Beacon Academy, starting out as a pupil there herself, with her mother being a school cook at the time. When she was older, Colleen followed in her mother’s footsteps and also became a dinner lady, before going through teacher training and is now the Assistant Head.
“Colleen has set up the school’s very own food curriculum, all from scratch and with a clear passion and love of food.
“It was so wonderful to hear the story of Colleen’s day out in London, resulting in Jamie Oliver appearing out of nowhere with a This Morning TV crew live on air to share the fantastic news."
Each month, parents and carers are invited into school for a fine dining experience. Colleen and children set up a restaurant in school, complete with tablecloths and glassware, and families can enjoy a meal prepared by the children.
The Mayor of Walsall added, “Colleen has made a lasting legacy at Beacon Academy, over many generations, and I thank her for her service to ensuring children build knowledge and skills about food and cooking, which will equip them for life. Congratulations again to Colleen for this phenomenal achievement.”
“ It feels so surreal to have won this award. It means everything to me. It’s not just for me but for the children, parents and the wider school community.
It’s gone from one award to so many amazing things, raising aspirations and building life skills among the children. Everyone has been incredibly positive and appreciative, and I thank everyone for their support. “
The Jamie Oliver Lifetime Achievement Award is a special recognition given as part of Jamie Oliver’s Good School Food Awards, which celebrate individuals who have made an exceptional, long-term impact on children's lives through food education and school nutrition.
Beacon Academy has also been recognised by the Food For Life initiative (commissioned by Walsall Council Public Health), which celebrates a commitment to providing high quality food education and promoting sustainable practices within the school community (Bronze award).
ENDS
Notes to editors
Food for Life Walsall (led by the Soil Association) has been working with local authorities across the country for over 10 years, supporting schools, nurseries, caterers and communities to embed a good food culture within their settings and beyond. The Walsall programme (funded by Walsall Council Public Health) has been running since 2017 and are delivering the Children and Families Healthy Eating programme.
