Knowsley schools amongst shortlist for education awards

Schools in Knowsley are celebrating after being named on the shortlist for the Educate Awards 2017.

The awards, in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh, is now in its sixth year and is the biggest celebration of education in the North West.

Held at Liverpool Cathedral, it is the one night of the year where the excellence of schools in the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and Lancashire is celebrated and rewarded in a unique fashion, bringing together inspiring leaders and support staff to showcase the brilliance within the region’s education sector.

Hundreds of entries were sent in across the 21 award categories, breaking previous records. Categories include the WOW Recognition Award, Outstanding Sport and Teacher of the Year.

Halewood Academy, St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Centre for Learning, Finch Woods Academy, Evelyn Community Primary School, Plantation Primary School, Rainford High, St John Bosco Arts College and Bickerstaffe CE School have all been shortlisted for this year’s awards.

Halewood Academy is up for the Most Inspirational Secondary School Award after its remarkable journey saw it go from special measures to a good Ofsted judgement in just 24 months.

The Academy’s ‘inspirational culture’ under the leadership of Principal Gary Evans has turned Halewood Academy in to a place which “lives and breathes its mission statement: inspirational teaching for aspirational learners”.

A teacher from Halewood Academy is also in the running for the coveted Teacher of the Year Award.

Maz Catterall, senior leader of English at the Academy is described as “a teacher who inspires and motivates students every lesson of every day”. In one pupils’ words, her approach is “bonkers but brilliant!”  

Gary Evans said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised for the work we have been doing here in Halewood, it means a lot to the staff and the students in seeing that all their efforts are being rewarded in this nomination.

“And, of course I am delighted for Maz who is a fantastic teacher and our lead in English, she has helped so much in raising the standards of the academy.

“It is nice to see that we are leading the way for education in Knowsley”.

St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Centre for Learning in Whiston is among the shortlist for the Eco School Project of the Year.

Students at the school designed, planned and opened a memorial garden for its much loved head teacher Mr Campbell, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in June 2016. The garden is also in memory of Year 11 student Sean Gillies and Jane Pederson, a member of the kitchen staff, who both sadly passed away.

Evelyn Community Primary School in Prescot is shortlisted for the Innovation in Education Award for its brilliant initiative to promote outstanding teaching and learning across History and Geography.

The subjects have been transformed to “set the children’s imagination and curiosity ablaze” with field trips, creative role play and taking part in local community events.

Rainford High has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary School Award for a fifth year, highlighting its commitment to going above and beyond to its sporting heritage.

Finch Woods Academy in Halewood is up for the SEND Provision Award. Opened in 2014, the Academy has transformed the education provision in Knowsley for pupils with social, emotional, mental health and behavioural difficulties.

St John Bosco Arts College is up for the Innovative and Creative Literacy Award. The English department at St John Bosco Arts College has had a fantastic couple of years, with the school achieving its best results in over 10 years.

Bickerstaffe CE School is shortlisted in the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Primary School category. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm shown by staff, parents and most importantly pupils, the school has invested in its sports facilities and successfully promoted ‘Team Bickerstaffe’!

Lastly, Plantation Primary School in Halewood is also shortlisted for the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Primary School Award. The primary school has increased its extra-curricular sports clubs from 30 to 74 during 2016-2017. This has led to even more children enjoying sport and achieving great success, such as being named National Premier League school champions on two successive occasions.

Commenting on the shortlist, Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “We are delighted to finally reveal the shortlisted schools ahead of the awards ceremony in November. This year’s shortlist includes schools and colleges of all sizes, from all across the region. So many congratulations to all those shortlisted, it was a very tough job for our judging panel!

“It is so important to celebrate and shine a spotlight on the region’s inspirational teachers, support staff and school communities, who do such a fantastic job day in, day out.

“Well done and good luck to all the shortlisted schools in Knowsley.”

This difficult task of shortlisting the entries fell upon the esteemed judging panel which includes Michelle Dow, managing director of All About STEM; James Tartt, Merseyside track athlete and architect; Radio City breakfast host Leanne Campbell; Councillor Gary Millar, assistant mayor & mayoral lead for business & international trade; Chris Walker, regional managing editor of Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales; Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber; Fiona Barnet, director of The Foundry Agency; Andrew Pimbley of Wirral’s Claremont Farm; Sue Cronin, head of teacher education at Liverpool Hope University and the education team at the respected Everyman and Playhouse Theatres.

The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony, which takes place on Friday 17 November at Liverpool Cathedral.

Held in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh as title sponsors, other category sponsors include Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU); The Foundry Agency; Wray Brothers; Paul Crowley & Co; The Bishop of Liverpool, The Rt. Revd. Paul Bayes; MILK Education; The Liverpool Learning Partnership (LLP); Shaping Futures; All About STEM; Hi-Impact Consultancy; LSSP; Air Products; School Improvement Liverpool; CER Education and Progress Schools.