Celebrate World Teachers Day

One and a half years into the COVID-19 crisis, the 2021 World Teachers’ Day will focus on the support teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process under the theme “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. Find out more about the activities going on this week to celebrate World Teachers Day.

The last 18 months has had a huge impact on education across the world and we have witnessed teachers commitment and professionalism in ensuring that their students continue to learn, in the most difficult of circumstances. We made a short video to share some of our thoughts on teaching and learning. 


Evadne: Education. The opportunity to explore, express, engage and entertain. Through music, arts and drama. Education for all.


Adama:  I am a graduate from the university of The Gambia, bachelor’s degrees in English Language and Development Studies. Currently I teach in rural Gambia. I am passionate about girls’ education because educated girls make informed choices and informed decisions. They understand their value in life and in the future, they will play vital roles in the advancement of their communities and societies.


Helen: I feel very privileged to have been a teacher for over 30 years. I've enjoyed meeting and getting to know so many young people. As a secondary school teacher, it has been a wonderful journey to meet children when they're 11 and say goodbye to them, and wish them well in their futures, when they're 18 years old and young adults. It's always a great privilege to teach children, to enthuse them, so that they can developing new interests and learn new skills that will help them in their adult life, and skills that they will find very valuable. Also at the same time I enjoy learning from them. It's amazing over the years how much I have learnt. I remember some of my students taught me a little bit of British Sign Language. It's wonderful that teaching and learning are a two way process. It’s very important to recognise World Teachers Day.


Mary: Many years ago, my late husband Steve said to me he believed teaching to be the best profession in all the world. I too became a teacher in the 1990s, and only when I had responsibility for my own class of pupils did I fully appreciate what he meant. There can be no greater job satisfaction than knowing that you have had the opportunity to work with, and to help develop the minds of young people. It's a privilege to witness youngsters develop and blossom. Of going on journeys of discovery together with them, watching students take their learning forward, making links, embracing challenges, asking questions and testing new ideas. All of this can be exhausting, but it's also extremely exhilarating and exciting. On this World Teachers Day, let's celebrate the excitement of education, let's celebrate the role of teachers and learning.



We are working hard to support educators around the globe with our teacher training, resources for teachers, learning resource centres and digital classrooms.


We work with educators to develop projects that will help them to help their students to learn, like our Positive Periods Program, bicycles and solar radios for students, and books in a mother tongue. You can support all these projects in our gift shop. Thank you to everyone who has supported us this far.




Steve Sinnott • October 4, 2021

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.