Countdown to victory: The Educate Awards 2016

The Educate Awards will return for its fifth year in November; an annual celebration which aims to showcase the brilliance within the region’s education sector. Once again it will award the unsung heroes working behind the scenes, the teachers with an unwavering commitment to helping pupils navigate school life and the inspiring projects which make you say ‘Wow’.

With only two months to go until the Educate Awards entry deadline, we round up the top reasons to enter and tell you how to submit a submission for 2016.

WHY ENTER?
It’s the biggest celebration of education in the North West

Now encompassing Cheshire and Lancashire alongside the Liverpool City Region, the Educate Awards is the leading celebration of education in the region. Open to all government funded and independent primary, secondary and further education providers; it is the one night of the year where the excellence of the region’s education sector is rewarded in a unique fashion.

Completely free to enter, the awards give schools the opportunity to stand out from the crowd, be recognised for its pioneering ideas and pick up a highly respected award to take back to its school community.

Shout about your school’s success

Not only far reaching in terms of its catchment area, the awards cover every aspect of the school’s curriculum, teaching and staff. Constantly evolving and responding to education trends and new ideas, new and updated categories are added to ensure the awards recognise the very best in education innovation.

Unearthed an exciting eco project? Ran a new sports initiative? Is your school involved in an inclusive project with the whole community? Whether it’s academic or extracurricular, the awards want to hear all about it and celebrate your success.

This year also sees the introduction of two new awards – Most Inspirational 16-18 Education Provider and School Support Star of the Year – as well as updating the science category to include the whole spectrum of STEM activities, now known as STEM Project of the Year.

Gain a seal of approval from the biggest names in education, business and media

With the entries judged and awarded by some of the leading names in education, business and media, the Educate Awards is highly respected throughout the region.

Joining the judging panel this year is Henry Platten, founder of the multi award-winning eCadet Scheme; managing director of MerseySTEM, Michelle Dow and Merseyside track athlete and architect James Tartt.

Returning judges include Radio City presenter Leanne Campbell; Fiona Barnet, director of The Foundry Agency; Councillor Gary Millar, Liverpool’s cabinet member for business, enterprise and investment; Chris Walker, regional managing editor of Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales; Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber; Andrew Pimbley of Claremont Farm and Wirral’s Farm Feast; Olympian and managing director of Raise The Bar, Steve Smith and the education team at the Everyman and Playhouse theatres.

The whole host of industry experts, spanning across education, technology, arts, science, business and entertainment ensure each category is judged by experienced professionals who have an in depth knowledge of the area – making winning, even more prestigious.

Inspire and share best practice with other North West schools

A big part of the Educate Awards is collaboration; whether promoting it through a particular award category or on the night itself. The awards join together the region’s schools – both secondary and primary – to form a melting pot of ideas, celebration and best practice.

The event is a unique opportunity to form new links, connect with schools from Liverpool, Cheshire and Lancashire and share your engaging project or initiative with a larger audience.

Celebrate your hardworking teachers and support staff

The Educate Awards believes dedicated teachers and support staff are the lifeblood of a school. The awards recognise those who inspire children every day and create a fun, rewarding environment – both in and out the classroom.

The Teacher of the Year award and School Support Star of the Year are given to individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty and those who demonstrate a real passion and dedication to ensuring pupils achieve the best of their ability.

We would encourage anyone who has contact with a teacher or support staff member to submit a nomination. Whether you’re a headteacher, parent, governor, pupil or even a business with links to the school in question.

Nominate a teacher or school support star and make their year!

The awards are endorsed by leading businesses in education

The awards attract the some of the best organisations and businesses in the industry. Sponsors so far include MerseySTEM, The Foundry Agency, Greater Merseyside Learning Providers’ Federation (GMLPF), eCadets, the Merseyside Network for Collaborative Outreach (MNCO), School Improvement Liverpool Ltd, Liverpool John Moores University, PCS Law and the Witherslack Group Ltd.

The night itself is the chance to come together with other businesses with a similar passion, network and create new prospects for your school community.

Thanks to their support, the awards can continue to thrive and recognise schools and individuals who epitomise the hardworking and passionate.

Opportunity to attend the esteemed awards ceremony
The shortlisted schools across all 21 categories are invited to the prestigious awards ceremony, which takes place on 18 November at Liverpool Cathedral. Joining the award sponsors, judges and distinguished guests, schools can enjoy an evening of celebration with standout performances, a three-course meal and plenty of surprises along the way.

The awards puts education centre stage and aims to create a special atmosphere for everyone who attends, whether you’re a winner, runner-up or one of the select schools to make the shortlist.

How to enter Educate Awards 2016
• Head to www.educateawards.co.uk
• Browse the 21 award categories and read the criteria for each – you can make as many nominations as you wish, however we advise that each category entry should be unique!
• Draft your entry offline in a word document before uploading – nominations should be no more than 750 words.
• Submit your nomination via the online application form or by post to: Educate Awards Nominations, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS.
• Once submitted, you will receive an email confirming your entry.
• Deadline for entries Friday 24 June