21 schools, colleges and multi academy trusts from across the region were honoured at the Educate Awards on Friday, 15 November.
Now in its thirteenth 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 Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester for a night of celebration and recognition.
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 dazzling entertainment from the region’s schools. Providing a soundtrack during the reception was St John Bosco Arts College with an incredible DJ set, followed by a soulful rendition of Heather Small’s iconic hit ‘Proud’ by its gospel choir. Later, after the call for dinner, the choir joined a larger ensemble in the cathedral’s main space to deliver a breathtaking performance of Emilie Sandé’s ‘Shine’.
During dinner, Sandbach School’s Big Band played two fantastic jazz tracks, ‘Bésame Mucho’ by Consuelo Velázquez and ‘I’ve Got The World On A String’ by Frank Sinatra.
Bringing an end to the evening’s entertainment was LIPA Sixth Form College which delivered a stella performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’ from the Barbie soundtrack, including a rendition of ‘Dance The Night’ by Dua Lipa.
Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s Educate Awards!
“A huge well done to the runners-up and finalists and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. The results were incredibly close, and judges had their work cut out deciding not only the shortlist but also overall the winners.”
Kim added: “The Educate Awards is proud to be shining a spotlight on the region’s schools and colleges, and celebrating the amazing work taking place inside and outside of the classroom. Entries will for 2025 will open in February and we encourage all types of schools, colleges and multi academy trusts to submit entries.”
Associate sponsors of the Educate Awards 2024 include: All About STEM, Angel Solutions, CER Education, CPMM Media Group, EdenFiftyOne™, Fresh Start Waste Services, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub, Liverpool John Moore’s University, LSSP, Satis Education, SENDSCOPE, and SupplyWell.
The Educate Awards 2024 winners and runners up:
- The Communication Award, sponsored by CPMM Media Group
Winner: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Liverpool
Runner up: Maricourt Catholic High School, Sefton
- Outstanding Commitment to the Environment, sponsored by Fresh Start Waste Services
Winner: Ss Peter and Paul Primary School, Wirral
Runner up: Neston High School, Cheshire
- Careers & Enterprise Award, sponsored by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub
Winner: The Academy of St Nicholas, Liverpool
Runner up: St Mary’s Catholic College, Wirral
- SEND Provision Award – Mainstream School, sponsored by SENDSCOPE
Winner: Handforth Grange Primary School, Cheshire
Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens
- SEND Provision Award – Specialist School, sponsored by SENDSCOPE
Winner: Orrets Meadow School, Wirral
Runner up: Inscape House School, Stockport
- Innovative & Creative Literacy Award, sponsored by EdenFiftyOne
Winner: Ridgeway High School, Wirral
Runner up: The Birkenhead Park School, Wirral
- Outstanding Commitment to STEM, sponsored by All About STEM
Winner: Evelyn Community Primary School, Knowsley
Runner up: Halewood Academy, Knowsley
- Outstanding Arts in Primary School
Winner: St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
Runner up: Netherton Moss Primary School, Sefton
- Outstanding Arts in Secondary School
Winner: Sandbach School, Cheshire
Runner up: Gateacre School, Liverpool
- Community Partnership Award
Winner: Kew Woods Primary School, Sefton
Runner up: St John Plessington Catholic College, Wirral
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Award
Winner: St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
Runner up: Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic and Church of England Academy, Cheshire
- Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School, sponsored by LSSP
Winner: Bedford Drive Primary School, Wirral
Runner up: St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Knowsley
- Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School
Winner: Wright Robinson College, Manchester
Runner up: Standish Community High School, Wigan
- Leadership Team of the Year
Winner: Birchwood Community High School, Warrington
Runner up: Green Fold School, Bolton
- Teacher of the Year, sponsored by CER
Winner: Kath Sweeney from Knotty Ash Primary School, Liverpool
Runner up: Gemma Jackson from Stockport Academy
- School Support Star of the Year, sponsored by SupplyWell
Winner: Paul Bohan from Holy Spirit Catholic Academy, Sefton
Runner up: Louise Yates from Ascent Autism Specialist College, Newton-le-Willows
- Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust, sponsored by Satis Education
Winner: All Saints Multi Academy Trust, Liverpool
Runner up: Endeavour Learning Trust, Lancashire
- Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College, sponsored by LJMU
Winner: Winstanley College, Wigan
Runner up: St John Rigby College, Wigan
- Most Inspirational Secondary School
Winner: The Academy of St Nicholas, Liverpool
Runner up: Chorlton High School, Manchester
- Most Inspirational Primary School, sponsored by Angel Solutions
Winner: Green Fold School, Bolton
Runner up: St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
- WOW Recognition Award, sponsored by ASL Group
Winner: West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral
Runner up: Wright Robinson College, Manchester
More information about the Educate Awards can be found here.
ENDS