Echo boss back on board to judge awards

The Educate Awards 2014 are delighted to reveal that this year’s judges leading the hunt for Merseyside’s top schools once again include Chris Walker, regional managing editor of Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales.

Chris, who manages Merseyside’s favourite newspapers, including the Liverpool Echo, Wirral News, and Crosby Herald, will be reprising his role as judge, using his extensive knowledge of the diverse assortment of schools in the area, gained from both his job and his many years as a school governor.

Speaking of his return to judging, Chris Walker said: “I was very impressed last year by the high standard of entries and it is clear there are many great achievements to celebrate in schools throughout Merseyside.

However, my most abiding memory was the awards ceremony. To see the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone there, whether they had won or not, was hugely uplifting and a credit to all concerned.”

Chris has been a primary school governor for over ten years, and is currently chair of the curriculum committee.

It is this passion for education that has proved to be a real asset in his role as a judge, and will surely continue to assist his consideration of the nominations that are already coming in for the awards this year.

It is furthermore a huge pleasure to have involvement from a representative of such a prominent group of publications, and this involvement really demonstrates the importance of the awards intent: to come together and celebrate the astonishing and various successes of the schools in the region.

Educate’s executive editor, Kim O’Brien, is delighted to be working alongside the confirmed judges again, saying: “With each year, we receive more and more entries, all of which are increasingly strong in their content. As such, we have found ourselves compelled to enlist more experts to be part of our judging panel.

“I’m delighted to have Chris, alongside Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber, Mark Beedles, managing director of Connex Education, Lisa Murphy, head of initial teacher  education at London Southbank University back on board, this year. Not only do they provide real insight and proficiency in the judging process, their continued involvement also shows their commitment to the goal of the awards, which is to recognise innovative and creative teaching and education across schools in all six Merseyside boroughs, and it’s that level of dedication that, for us, is truly invaluable.

“I’m also thrilled to have Andrew Pimbley, of Claremont Farm and the Farm Feast (Wirral Food and Drink Festival), and the Education Team at the Everyman and Playhouse theatres’ join the judging ranks. Their passion for their expertise, and their dedication to educating and involving young people in the area, makes them ideal judges for the Eco Project of the Year and Spirit of Enterprise awards, and the Creative and Innovative Literacy and Outstanding Arts awards respectively.

“I’m sure having such a prestigious board of judges will encourage an even greater number of entries this year, and I honestly can’t wait to see the results.”

If you want to know more about the Educate Awards 2014, including how to enter, please visit www.educateawards.co.uk