North West nurseries, schools, colleges and trusts honoured at the fifteenth Educate Awards

Over 60 nurseries, schools, colleges and multi academy trusts were recognised at this year’s Educate Awards, with 20 announced as winners and taking home the coveted trophy at the glittering awards ceremony held on Friday, 13 November at Liverpool Cathedral.

Celebrating its fifteenth year of shining a spotlight on education, Educate Awards 2026 featured 21 categories which showcased every aspect of education from communications, partnerships and careers to STEM, the arts and sports, as well as the exceptional teachers and inspirational support staff whose passion and dedication continue to transform the lives of children and young people.

As the largest education awards in the North West, Educate Awards brings together nurseries, schools, colleges and multi academy trusts from Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. 

A spectacular night at Liverpool Cathedral

More than 700 guests were welcomed to the spectacular Liverpool Cathedral for an unforgettable evening of celebration, which was hosted by legendary radio broadcaster, Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross.

Alongside the awards ceremony, guests enjoyed a delicious three-course gala dinner and captivating entertainment from students across the region. Opening the prestigious event was the Leeds Conservatoire Pop Choir in collaboration with Formby High School. Together they performed popular hits including Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ and Raye’s ‘Where is my husband!’ to start the night on a high note.

During dinner, students from Rhyddings and The Hollins, secondary schools in the LET Education Trust, came together to bring their Kindness Umbrella Project to life, including a walking exhibition and flash mob, complete with dhol drummers.

Closing the evening of entertainment were students from Maghull High School, who performed a medley of songs from Grease: The Musical. Accompanied on stage by the iconic Greased Lightning car, the students delivered an electrifyin’ rendition of ‘Greased Lightnin’’, as well as ‘Summer Nights’ and ‘We Go Together’.  

Record-breaking entries and exceptional achievement

Kim O’Brien, founder of Educate Awards, said:

“Congratulations to all of the fantastic winners at Educate Awards 2026!

“I would like to pay tribute to the runners-up and finalists, too. This year we received a record-breaking number of entries, making our esteemed panel of judges’ jobs even harder, with many results incredibly close.”

Kim added:

“I’m incredibly proud that Educate Awards has been celebrating every aspect of school life for 15 years now, and this year has proved that we’re only getting bigger and better. The Educate Awards team is passionate about spotlighting exceptional educational settings and the outstanding teachers and support staff working within them, and we’re looking forward to doing it all again next year when entries open in February!”

Associate sponsors of Educate Awards 2026 include: All About Futures, Angel Solutions, Apprenticeships at Liverpool Hope University, Carpe Diem Education Consultants UK, CER Education, CPMM Media Group, Frank Field Education Trust, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool School Sports Partnership, Portakabin, Satis Education, SENDSCOPE, Teach+ and Thrive Education Group.

The Educate Awards 2026 winners and runners-up:

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

• Winner: St John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool
• Runner-up: Winstanley College, Wigan

2. Outstanding Commitment to the Environment & Sustainability

• Winner: Cheshire College South & West, Cheshire West
• Runner-up: Bidston Avenue Primary School, Wirral

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

• Winner: St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy, St Helens
• Runner-up: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Liverpool

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

• Winner: Croxteth Community Primary School, Liverpool
• Runner-up: Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale

5. School Library of the Year, sponsored by Portakabin

• Winner: The Ellesmere Port Church of England College, Cheshire West
• Runner-up: St Gregory’s RC High School, Warrington

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

• Winner: Rainford High, St Helens
• Runner-up: The Barlow RC High School, Manchester

7. Outstanding Arts in Primary School

• Winner: Croxteth Community Primary School, Liverpool
• Runner-up: Fairfield Primary School, Cumberland

8. Outstanding Arts in Secondary School

• Winner: St Mary’s Catholic College, Wirral
• Runner-up: Sacred Heart Catholic Academy, Sefton

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

• Winner: Myerscough College, Liverpool
• Runner-up: Maghull High School, Sefton

10. Mental Health & Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Carpe Diem Education Consultants UK

• Winner: Fairfield Primary School, Cumberland
• Runner-up: The Manchester College, Manchester

11. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School, sponsored by Liverpool School Sports Partnership

• Winner: Bidston Avenue Primary School, Wirral
• Runner-up: Roby Park Primary School, Knowsley

12. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School

• Winner: Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale
• Runner-up: Highfurlong School, Blackpool

13. Teacher of the Year, sponsored by CER

• Winner: Lily Clark from Ridgeway High School, Wirral
• Runner-up: Amy Green from St Augustine’s Church of England Primary School, Salford

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

• Winner: Sharon Heller from Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool
• Runner-up: Helen Farrell from Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale

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

• Winner: Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust, Wirral
• Runner-up: Rainbow Education Multi-Academy Trust, Liverpool

16. Most Inspirational Specialist School, sponsored by Thrive Education Group and Teach+

• Winner: Alt Bridge School, Knowsley
• Runner-up: Green Fold School, Bolton

17. Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College, sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University

• Winner: The Manchester College, Manchester
• Runner-up: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Liverpool

18. Most Inspirational Secondary School

• Winner: Tarleton Academy, Preston
• Runner-up: Middlewich High School, Cheshire East

19. Most Inspirational Primary School, sponsored by Angel Solutions

• Winner: Kings Meadow Primary School, Sefton
• Runner-up: Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School, Wirral

20. Most Inspirational Nursery

• Winner: Northcote Community Primary School, Liverpool
• Runner-up: Play Pals Nursery, Wigan

21. WOW Recognition Award

• Winner: Byrchall High School, Wigan
• Runner-up: Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, Wirral

More information about the Educate Awards can be found here.