Three Liverpool Schools & A Multi-Academy Trust Named Winners At The Prestigious Educate Awards

CITY OF LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION.

Three Liverpool Schools & A Multi-Academy Trust Named Winners At The Prestigious Educate Awards

Three Liverpool schools and a multi academy trust named winners at the prestigious Educate Awards.

Three schools and a multi academy trust from Liverpool were honoured at the Educate Awards on Friday the 15th of November:

• All Saints Multi Academy Trust won the Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust award.

• Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, West Derby, won The Communication Award.

• The Academy of St Nicholas, Garston, won the Careers & Enterprise Award and Most Inspirational Secondary School.

• Kath Sweeney from Knotty Ash Primary School won Teacher of the Year.

All Saints Multi Academy Trust, the first-ever winner of the Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust category, was praised by judges for being innovative and forging strong partnerships with the local community and businesses.

Winner of The Communication Award, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, clearly demonstrated the variety of ways it engages with its community through online channels and in print. The school’s social media channels are one of the largest and most highly engaged school social media accounts in Liverpool.

The Academy of St Nicholas was praised for developing students’ passion for their career possibilities. After securing additional funding, the academy implemented a three-tier approach which engaged 70 employers in the ‘annual industry expo day’ event at the school.

The academy was also crowned winner of the Most Inspirational Secondary School category after judges were impressed with the inclusive and supportive environment the school had built for students to thrive.

Kath Sweeney from Knotty Ash Primary School won the esteemed Teacher of the Year award for her unwavering determination and passion for supporting deaf children. Kath tirelessly supports each child and their families, ensuring they receive the right support, resources and education, tailored to their individual needs.

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 Anglican 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 the Liverpool schools, multi academy trust and Kath Sweeney that won at this year’s Educate Awards!"

Kim, said: “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 & 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: St 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.