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 winners
Most Inspirational Primary School
Winner: Halewood C of E Primary School
Runner up: Eldon Primary School
Most Inspirational Secondary School
Winner: Wellfield High School
Runner up: Clare Mount Specialist Sports College
Community Partnership Award
Winner: Gateacre School
Runner up: Bishop David Sheppard CE Primary
Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Primary School
Winner: Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Junior School
Runner up: Billinge St Aidan’s C of E Primary School
Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary School
Winner: St Margaret’s Church of England Academy
Runner up: Rainford High Technology College
Eco Project of the Year
Winner: Liverpool Life Sciences UTC
Runner up: Cowley International College
The Communication Award
Winner: Leamington Community Primary School
Runner up: Whitefield Primary School
Teacher of the Year
Winner: Peter Fearon, Bebington High Sports College
Runner up: Beth Harris, Archbishop Temple School
Spirit of Enterprise Award
Winner: Rainford C E Primary
Runner up: Birkdale High
Innovative and Creative Literacy Award
Winner: The District CE Primary School
Runner up: Whitefield Primary
SEND Provision Award
Winner: The Observatory School
Runner up: Springwood Heath Primary School
Science Project of the Year
Winner: Bishop David Sheppard CE Primary
Runner up: Liverpool Life Sciences UTC
Outstanding Arts in a Primary School
Winner: Netherton Moss Primary School
Runner up: Faith Primary School in partnership with In Harmony Liverpool
Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School
Winner: The Belvedere Academy
Runner up: Holly Lodge Girls’ College
Career Aspiration Award
Winner: Calderstones School
Runner up: Bebington High School Farm at Bebington High School Sports College
Outstanding Teaching of Life Skills
Winner: Archbishop Temple School
Runner up: North Liverpool Academy
Leadership Team of the Year
Winner: Bishop David Sheppard CE Primary School
Joint runner up: Formby High School and Kilgarth School
Innovation in Education Award
Winner: Flakefleet School
Runner up: Archbishop Blanch C E High School
WOW Recognition Award
Winner: Gateacre School
Runner up: Netherton Moss Primary School