North West schools and colleges honoured at the Educate Awards 2023

19 inspiring schools and college from the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire won at the Educate Awards on Friday, 17 November.

Now in its twelfth year, the Educate Awards showcases the hard work and creativity in the education sector, from STEM and performing arts to sports and literacy.

The awards also recognise the individuals who bring schools and colleges to life, from inspiring teachers and dedicated support staff to strategic leadership teams.

In partnership with ASL and Ricoh, the Educate Awards took place at the Liverpool Cathedral and welcomed over 700 guests. The evening was hosted by broadcaster Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross.

Alongside the awards ceremony was a delicious three-course gala dinner and glittering entertainment from the region’s schools. Opening the big event was Rainford High, which delivered a stellar performance of ‘Be Our Guest’ from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, followed by a dance and poetry performance from The Hollins in Accrington. The final performance of the night came from up-and-coming indie band, The Height, from Manchester.

Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to all the schools and colleges that won at this year’s Educate Awards!

“A big well done to the runners-up and finalists too. Results this year were incredibly close, and judges had a difficult time deciding not only the shortlist but also overall the winners.”

Kim added: “The Educate Awards team is proud to champion the innovation, diversity and dedication that is taking place in educational establishments around the region. Entries will open again in February 2024, and we encourage all types of schools and colleges to submit as many entries as they like, for free.”

Associate sponsors of the Educate Awards 2023 include: All About STEM, Angel Solutions, CER, CPMM Media Group, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub, Liverpool John Moores University, LSSP, SENDSCOPE, and SupplyWell.

The Educate Awards 2023 winners and runners-up:

1. The Communication Award

Winner: Manchester Academy, Manchester

Runner up: Maricourt Catholic High School, Sefton

2. Outstanding Commitment to the Environment

Winner: Heswall Primary School, Wirral

Runner up: Wright Robinson College, Manchester

3. Careers & Enterprise Award

Winner: Hope Academy, St Helens

Runner up: Ridgeway High School, Wirral

4. SEND Provision Award

Winner: Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool

Joint runner up: Green Fold School, Bolton and Maple Grove School, Cheshire

5. Innovative & Creative Literacy Award

Winner: Hillside High School, Sefton

Runner up: Gateacre School, Liverpool

6. Outstanding Commitment to STEM

Winner: Neston High School, Cheshire

Runner up: Great Crosby Catholic Primary School, Sefton

7. Outstanding Arts in a Primary School

Winner: Kew Woods Primary School, Sefton

Runner up: Netherton Moss Primary School, Sefton

8. Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School

Winner: The Hollins, Lancashire

Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens

9. Community Partnership Award

Winner: St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School, Knowsley

Runner up: Maricourt Catholic High School, Sefton

10. Mental Health & Wellbeing Award

Winner: Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool

Runner up: St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton

11. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School

Winner: St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wallasey, Wirral

Runner up: St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton

12. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School

Winner: Cowley International College, St Helens

Runner up: St Peter’s Catholic High School, Wigan

13. Leadership Team of the Year

Winner: Green Fold School, Bolton

Runner up: Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale

14. Teacher of the Year

Winner: Stephen Hill, St Joseph’s Primary School, Oldham

Runner up: Catherine Chapman, Gateacre School, Liverpool

15. School Support Star of the Year

Winner: Philip McGowan, Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School, Sefton

Runner up: Jeanette Horrocks, Green Fold School, Bolton

16. Most Inspirational Alternative Provision

Winner: Employability Solutions Ltd, Liverpool

Runner up: Sandbach School, Cheshire

17. Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College

Winner: Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral

Runner up: St John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool

18. Most Inspirational Secondary School

Winner: Gateacre School, Liverpool

Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens

19. Most Inspirational Primary School

Winner: Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool

Runner up: St Peter’s CE Primary School, Bolton

20. WOW Recognition Award

Winner: Beech Hall School, Cheshire

Runner up: Wade Deacon High School, Cheshire