News stories

02 July 2024

Best in Everyone Awards 2024 Celebrate Impressive Achievements of Students and Staff Across the Group

Catgeories : Group news

On Friday 21st June, students and staff from across United Learning commemorated the national winners of this year’s Best in Everyone Awards at a magnificent black-tie gala held at the Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield.

First held in 2013, the annual Best in Everyone Awards celebrates the accomplishments, commitment and resilience of students and staff at United Learning schools across the country. The special awards evening recognises the talents of the Group’s young people and staff members, as well as giving credit to some of its most inspirational and hard-working individuals and teams.

To be in with a chance of taking home an award, candidates in each award category were first nominated by members of staff at their individual schools. These nominees were then put before a national panel of judges who had the difficult task of selecting this year’s winners.

Off the back of the national event, schools will be carrying out their own in-school Best in Everyone awards ceremonies throughout the Summer Term so that highly deserving students and staff can continue to be celebrated within their school communities. These winners will each receive a glass trophy from United Learning.

Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning, said:

“The Best in Everyone Awards are a real highlight of the United Learning calendar, providing an opportunity for us all to celebrate many amazing students and staff from across the Group. Not only do the awards honour those who have excelled academically, in the arts and in sport, they are also a chance to commend those whose impact on the people and places around them is exceptional. Very well done to all those who were nominated for an award and to this year’s winners. You are all thoroughly deserving of your success.”

 Each national award winner received a ticket for themselves and two guests to attend the live ceremony and black-tie dinner. The ceremony was hosted by our Head of Music and Performing Arts, Catherine Barker, and winners were presented with an engraved glass award by Sir Jon. Throughout the evening, attendees also enjoyed fantastic performances from the Hunningley Primary Academy choir, Northampton Academy student and winner of the Drama Award Thomas Bursnoll, and Swindon Academy student and winner of the Music (Performance) Award Joseyana Costa.

Two of the most coveted awards went to John Maher, Year 5 teacher at Avonwood Primary Academy and Pauline Riley, Student Support Mentor at Paddington Academy, who each received a Lifetime Achievement Award for their invaluable contributions to the teaching profession over several decades.

John, who is due to retire at the end of this academic year, said:

“I feel both humbled and honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award. After 24 years in teaching, it is touching to be recognised for my contribution to primary education. I would like to thank and express my deepest appreciation both to United Learning and Avonwood for their encouragement, support and touching statements. It is truly appreciated. Thank you!”  

 The Student Council at Kettering Buccleuch Academy were crowned Team of the Year for their ambition and determination to making a positive difference to school life. Year 9 student, Lennon Clarke, said:

 “I am very proud to be part of KBA’s Student Council and this award is a recognition of the hard work put in by everyone who plays a part in what we do.”

 At Barnsley Academy, Year 10 student Kaitlyn Walker won the Leadership and Service Award. As Barnsley Youth Mayor and Chair of the school’s first ever Student Council, Kaitlyn plays impressive roles in both her school and local communities. Speaking of her win, Kaitlyn said:

"I'm honoured to have been chosen to receive such a prestigious award, alongside some of the most talented students in the UK. I wish to inspire the young people of my local constituency to possess the ambition and determination to lead a fulfilling life and reach their goals."

As in previous years, alongside the live awards ceremony, videos announcing the winners were posted on United Learning’s X account to be celebrated by an audience of over 12,000 peers, colleagues and families. A full list of the winners and a link to their video can be found below.

Thank you to Portakabin who were our headline sponsors for the 2024 awards.

 

Award

Name

School

Video

Pupil Awards

Art

Shristi Pradhan

The John Roan School

https://youtu.be/QG3J62XlfBs

Biology

Ashiki Nandi

Northampton Academy

https://youtu.be/GUjdCPCxpRI

Business

Victoria Knights

AKS Lytham

https://youtu.be/wZeBeiZUVPI

Chemistry

Ibrahim Ahmed

Walthamstow Academy

https://youtu.be/gC_llL9oMQg

Classics

Georgina Cotes

Newstead Wood School

https://youtu.be/ZMOHWQGxqls

Computing

Kishi Jain

Newstead Wood School

https://youtu.be/JXTdbxmlvEM

Creative Writing

Haneen Eldegail

Swindon Academy

https://youtu.be/BbP6LQguiLo

Dance

Tilly Beadell

Shoreham Academy

https://youtu.be/DeTUR9GnqE8

Design Technology

Bethan Adams

Huish Episcopi Academy

https://youtu.be/uPsw2zvAeY4

Drama

Thomas Bursnoll

Northampton Academy

https://youtu.be/y38TrGjipB8

English Literature

Sofia Ntege

North Oxfordshire Academy

https://youtu.be/aDHYiZU_NsY

Geography

Edith Squibb

Shoreham Academy

https://youtu.be/Q57J6bcYwaE

History

Leona Gashi

The John Roan School

https://youtu.be/PCm6PxWxnf4

Leadership and Service

Kaitlyn Walker

Barnsley Academy

https://youtu.be/Vg2cRX9dYaU

Maths

Hung-Wen Liao

The Totteridge Academy

https://youtu.be/cxzQ52QQzXw

MFL

Freddie Jackson

Embley School

https://youtu.be/aQXVbzBv7NY

Music - Composition

Andy Allchurch

North Oxfordshire Academy

https://youtu.be/y-iRS8tEJ2I

Music - Performance

Joseyana Costa

Swindon Academy

https://youtu.be/4O_yw51uHN8

Physics

James Buckley

Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology

https://youtu.be/OU7ArSQy1BY

Religious Studies

Ollie McDermott

Glenmoor and Winton Academies

https://youtu.be/7o6ag-YlyU8

Social Science

Abby Ong

Newstead Wood School

https://youtu.be/pTLZ3Dbk2Yk

Sportsman of the year

Leon Penketh

The Cornerstone Academy

https://youtu.be/BZ87C6FRSNw

Sportswoman of the year

Freya Moody

Guildford High School

https://youtu.be/8tjZz0m_-H0

Team of the year

KBA Student Council:

Matthew Walton,
Ethan Simmons, Robyn Turner-Allen, Will Warren, Leon Munto, Lewis Richmond, Ashley Adams, Finley Howitt, Lennon Clarke and Natasha Robinson

Kettering Buccleuch Academy

https://youtu.be/gbFQ2aD3z_s

Resilience Award

Ikhlas Aminu

Sheffield Springs Academy

https://youtu.be/66SALTGG8ow

Staff Awards

Primary ECT of the year

Claire Ratican

The Galfrid School

https://youtu.be/qPUvLtp0G2o

Secondary ECT of the year

Sarah Morgan

Barnsley Academy

https://youtu.be/BlRWd48Jez0

Primary Inspirational Teacher OTY

Neil Johnson

Hill View Primary School

https://youtu.be/bkNMWycQmGw

Secondary Inspirational Teacher OTY

Cathy Green

Northampton Academy

https://youtu.be/Gj453rw4dzg

Primary Lifetime Achievement Award

John Mather

Avonwood Primary

https://youtu.be/POyZ4wBFQRg

Secondary Lifetime Achievement Award

Pauline Riley

Paddington Academy

https://youtu.be/j9E1sm5_yqs

School Governor of the year

Margaret Woodhouse

The Lowry Academy

https://youtu.be/93PJlMD5Qcw

School Leader of the year

Claudia Allman

Glenmoor and Winton Academies

https://youtu.be/DzmfuxKksXg

Staff Team of the year

Inclusion Department: Susan Tebbutt, Barron Appau, Nicole Britchfield, Victoria Taylor, Violetta Alia, Camelia Matei, Daud Warsame, Jodie Faulkner and Ashleigh France

The John Roan School

https://youtu.be/CM_zwAXC0Hw

Support Staff of the year

Jeff Lee

Beacon View Primary Academy

https://youtu.be/A4fguM2zyDk

Teaching Assistant of the year

Jane Darlington

Paddington Academy

https://youtu.be/8oL2hw7Fzhc

Sustainability Award

Sharon Howitt

Guildford High School

https://youtu.be/nylAHU7MNbs

Central Office Award

Tony Hayes

Geography Senior Subject Advisor

https://youtu.be/mQQEsEMJzHU

 

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