Liverpool Schools Shine At Educate Awards

ON Friday 20 November, 500 guests gathered for the Educate Awards ceremony held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.The awards, sponsored by Connex Education, is now in its fourth year and celebrate the inspiring work that goes on inside and outside the school gates.Gateacre School won two awards on the evening for its remarkable success of The BIG Little Library attraction. The BIG Little Library is a pop-up library held in Belle Vale Shopping Centre and is a place where the community can share their love of reading.The Community Partnership and WOW Recognition awards were presented to Gateacre School for its library project as the judges noted that it was an excellent and detailed submission and a project which has inspired and enthused students and teachers. The project got the whole community talking, and reading.Calderstones School won the Career Aspiration award for its varied career options which span the whole range, from apprenticeships to Oxbridge.The Belvedere Academy, who performed two numbers on the evening, won the Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School award for its production of Oliver.Liverpool Life Sciences UTC won the Eco Project of the Year award for its Aquaponics project which expanded the students’ scientific knowledge while providing the opportunity for them to engage in a unique eco activity.St Cecilia’s Catholic Junior School in Tuebrook, won the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Primary School award. Sport has been revolutionised with the completion of the school’s very own ‘Anfield, Goodison and Olympic Stadium’ and the huge commitment and drive by staff has ensured the school’s sport provision is now outstanding.The Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary School was awarded to St Margaret’s Church of England Academy for its diverse sports offerings which appeal to pupils of all different abilities and interest. The school has a strong commitment to sport within the curriculum as well as a new and highly innovative approach in broadcasting its sporting news via social media channels.Lastly, Leamington Community Primary School won the Communication award on the evening. The school, in one of the most deprived communities in the UK, has transformed its communication over the last year.Liverpool actor Neil Fitzmaurice hosted the ceremony, while guests were treated to special performances by schools shortlisted for the outstanding arts awards.The Belvedere Academy Chamber Choir opened proceedings, while pupils from Holly Lodge Girls’ College performed a scene from its production of ‘Blowin a Gale’. Next, the talented Darci Shaw from The Belvedere Academy sang ‘Where is Love’ from its 2014/15 production of Oliver.Lastly, Andrew Woolcock from Archbishop Temple School entertained guests on the marimba, playing ‘Land’ by Takatsuga Maramatsu.On the night, 19 awards were handed out to schools in the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire and Cheshire. A great variety of projects and skills were represented, from entrepreneurial awareness, dazzling stage performances, creative literacy initiatives to inspiring community partnerships.Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Every year the judges and I are blown away by the school’s entries and this year was no exception. It’s fantastic to award so many hard working schools and teachers who create such an engaging learning environment.“Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted schools, and thank you to each and every school that submitted an entry this year.”The winners were chosen by a panel of judges which this year included football icon Robbie Fowler; Radio City breakfast host Leanne Campbell; Olympian and managing director of Raise The Bar, Steve Smith; 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; Mark Beedles, managing director of Connex Education; Fiona Barnet, director of The Foundry Agency; Andrew Pimbley of Claremont Farm and Wirral’s Farm Feast; and the education team at the respected Everyman and Playhouse Theatres.List of award winnersMost Inspirational Primary SchoolWinner: Halewood C of E Primary SchoolRunner up: Eldon Primary SchoolMost Inspirational Secondary SchoolWinner: Wellfield High SchoolRunner up: Clare Mount Specialist Sports CollegeCommunity Partnership AwardWinner: Gateacre SchoolRunner up: Bishop David Sheppard CE PrimaryOutstanding Commitment to Sport in a Primary SchoolWinner: Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Junior SchoolRunner up:  Billinge St Aidan’s C of E Primary SchoolOutstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary SchoolWinner: St Margaret’s Church of England AcademyRunner up: Rainford High Technology CollegeEco Project of the YearWinner: Liverpool Life Sciences UTCRunner up: Cowley International CollegeThe Communication AwardWinner: Leamington Community Primary SchoolRunner up: Whitefield Primary SchoolTeacher of the YearWinner: Peter Fearon, Bebington High Sports CollegeRunner up: Beth Harris, Archbishop Temple SchoolSpirit of Enterprise AwardWinner: Rainford C E PrimaryRunner up: Birkdale HighInnovative and Creative Literacy AwardWinner: The District CE Primary SchoolRunner up: Whitefield PrimarySEND Provision AwardWinner: The Observatory SchoolRunner up: Springwood Heath Primary SchoolScience Project of the YearWinner: Bishop David Sheppard CE PrimaryRunner up: Liverpool Life Sciences UTCOutstanding Arts in a Primary SchoolWinner: Netherton Moss Primary SchoolRunner up: Faith Primary School in partnership with In Harmony LiverpoolOutstanding Arts in a Secondary SchoolWinner: The Belvedere AcademyRunner up: Holly Lodge Girls’ CollegeCareer Aspiration AwardWinner: Calderstones SchoolRunner up: Bebington High School Farm at Bebington High School Sports CollegeOutstanding Teaching of Life Skills Winner: Archbishop Temple SchoolRunner up: North Liverpool AcademyLeadership Team of the YearWinner: Bishop David Sheppard CE Primary SchoolJoint runner up: Formby High School and Kilgarth SchoolInnovation in Education AwardWinner: Flakefleet SchoolRunner up: Archbishop Blanch C E High SchoolWOW Recognition AwardWinner: Gateacre SchoolRunner up: Netherton Moss Primary School