21 of the region’s schools and colleges honoured at this year’s Educate Awards

Celebrating educational excellence

21 inspirational schools, colleges and multi academy trusts from across the North West were recognised at the Educate Awards on Friday, 14 November.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Educate Awards features 21 diverse categories and shines a spotlight on all aspects of education from sports and arts to literacy and the environment.

The shortlist recognises inspiring teachers, dedicated support staff and strategic leadership teams who continue to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

As the largest and most prestigious education awards in the region, the Educate Awards brings together schools, colleges and multi academy trusts from Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside for a night of celebration and recognition.

A night of inspiration and entertainment

In partnership with ASL Group, the glittering ceremony took place at the Liverpool Cathedral and welcomed over 600 guests. The evening was hosted by broadcaster Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross.

Alongside the awards ceremony was a delicious three-course gala dinner and show-stopping entertainment from the region’s schools. Opening the event was a special performance from students within Endeavour Learning Trust, and its secondary schools.

Combining a heartfelt monologue with an expressive dance, the piece paid tribute to Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, two beloved pupils from Churchtown Primary School, part of Endeavour Learning Trust, who, along with Elsie Dot Stancombe, tragically lost their lives in the Southport attack last year.

Their performance was a touching reminder of the strength, compassion and unity that continues to shine through the community.

During dinner, students and staff from The Academy of St Nicholas, Garston, took to the red carpet for a captivating fashion show that highlighted the environmental impact of fast fashion. Students designed, created and modelled the bespoke pieces, with three students performing spoken word pieces which explored the theme of ‘Our World’.

Bringing an end to the evening’s entertainment was West Kirby Grammar School. Students delivered an electrifying performance from ‘Six: the Musical!’, which reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives, transforming them into bold, dynamic pop icons who take centre stage to reclaim their stories.

Winners, sponsors and what’s next

Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to all of the incredible winners at this year’s Educate Awards!

“A big well done to the runners-up and finalists, and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. Each year, the judges’ job gets harder, and once again, the results were incredibly close.

Kim added: “We’re incredibly proud that the Educate Awards continues to shine a light on the remarkable achievements of schools and colleges across the region. The dedication, creativity and care shown by staff and students never fails to inspire us.

“Entries for the 2026 awards will open in February, and we encourage schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts of all kinds to get involved.”

Associate sponsors of the Educate Awards 2025 include: All About Futures, Angel Solutions, Apprenticeships at Liverpool Hope University, CER, CPMM Media Group, Frank Field Education Trust, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub, LJMU, LSSP, Portakabin, Satis Education and SENDSCOPE.

The Educate Awards 2025 winners and runners-up:

1. Most Impactful Communications Award, sponsored by CPMM Media Group

Winner: St Edward’s College, Liverpool

Runner-up: Maghull High School, Sefton

2. Outstanding Commitment to the Environment & Sustainability

Winner: Prospect House Specialist Support Primary School, Manchester

Runner-up: Hope Academy, St Helens

3. Careers & Enterprise Award, sponsored by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub

Winner: Wirral Grammar School for Boys, Wirral

Runner-up: Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral

4. Outstanding SEND Provision in Mainstream School, sponsored by SENDSCOPE

Winner: Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool

Runner-up: Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School, Liverpool

5. School Library of the Year, sponsored by Portakabin

Winner: St Hilda’s CE High School, Liverpool

Runner-up: St Mary’s Catholic Junior Academy, St Helens

6. Outstanding Commitment to STEM, sponsored by All About Futures

Winner: Wright Robinson College, Manchester

Runner-up: Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool

7. Outstanding Arts in Primary School

Winner: St Peter’s C.E. Primary School, Bolton

Runner-up: Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School, Sefton

8. Outstanding Arts in Secondary School

Winner: St John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool

Runner-up: Ormskirk School, Sefton

9. Lord Frank Field Community Partnership Award sponsored by Frank Field Education Trust

Winner: Burnley High School, East Lancashire

Runner-up: Accrington St Christopher’s CE High School, East Lancashire

10. Mental Health & Wellbeing Award

Winner: Locking Stumps Community Primary School, Warrington

Runner-up: Chantlers Primary School, Bury

11. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School, sponsored by LSSP

Winner: Rowan Tree Primary School, Wigan

Runner-up: Cherry Tree Primary School, Bolton

12. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School

Winner: St James’ Catholic High School, Stockport

Runner-up: Maghull High School, Sefton

13. Leadership Team of the Year

Winner: Archbishop Blanch School, Liverpool

Runner-up: Churchtown Primary School, Sefton

14. Teacher of the Year, sponsored by CER

Winner: Stuart Hide from Runshaw College, Leyland, Lancashire

Runner-up: Corie Higgins from Stockport Academy, Stockport

15. School Support Star of the Year, sponsored by Apprenticeships at Liverpool Hope University

Winner: Kellie Tisdale from The Birkenhead Park School, Wirral

Runner-up: Karla Taylor from SEE (Oldham) CIC, Oldham

16. Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust, sponsored by Satis Education

Winner: Endeavour Learning Trust, Chorley

Runner-up: BePART Educational Trust, Wirral

17. Most Inspirational Specialist School

Winner: Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool

Runner-up: The Pendlebury Centre, Stockport

18. Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College, sponsored by LJMU

Winner: Ascent Autism Specialist College, St Helens

Runner-up: Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral

19. Most Inspirational Secondary School

Winner: Burnage Academy for Boys, Manchester

Runner-up: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Liverpool

20. Most Inspirational Primary School, sponsored by Angel Solutions

Winner: Churchtown Primary School, Sefton

Runner-up: St Peter’s C.E. Primary School, Bolton

21. WOW Recognition Award, sponsored by ASL Group

Winner: Hillside High School, Sefton

Runner-up: Green Fold School, Bolton

More information about the Educate Awards can be found here.