Workplace Champion Award 2026
Jade Ashton is the Head of Art at New Mills School who is a passionate advocate for the art of clay.
A qualified teacher since 2015, Jade was awarded funding from Arts Council England (2017 & 2019) for encouraging participation in environmental issues through ceramics and craft.
With BA (Hons) 3D Design and MA Collaborative Practice, Jade empowers all her students to think big and expand their skill set. Jade was awarded the NSEAD Workplace Champion Award (2026) for her work in revising the school’s art curriculum, increasing the uptake and achievement of the GCSE course, and reinstating clay lessons for every student.
'Jade is a passionate and inspiring advocate for art, craft and design, creating transformative opportunities for both students and colleagues through her commitment to creative education. Her work has opened access to exciting new materials, processes and techniques, expanding what young people believe is possible within the classroom and beyond.
At the heart of Jade’s practice is a determination to champion creativity as essential, valuable and life-changing. She encourages students to see themselves as artists and makers, while actively supporting them to pursue creative futures with confidence and ambition. Her advocacy goes far beyond resources or facilities; it is rooted in standing up for the importance of arts education itself and ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to explore, experiment and thrive creatively. Through her energy, vision and dedication, Jade is transforming classrooms into spaces of possibility, inspiration and genuine creative discovery.'