News stories

30 June 2023

Best in Everyone Awards recognise outstanding efforts of students and staff

Catgeories : Group news Enrichment

Last Friday, students and staff across United Learning joined together to honour the national winners of this year’s Best in Everyone Awards at The Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The annual awards celebrate students and staff from across the Group for their exceptional contributions to school and community life. This includes recognition of academic success, accomplishments in sport, music and the arts, and dedication to leadership and service.

This year, schools carried out their own in-school Best in Everyone awards ceremonies throughout the summer term. Over 1,000 school winners were presented with glass trophies in celebration of their achievements. Standout winners from this highly accomplished group were then put forward as nominees for the national awards.

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

“Each year I look forward to the Best in Everyone Awards and getting the opportunity to celebrate so many phenomenal young people and colleagues across the country; this year was no different. All of us who attended the recent ceremony in Birmingham left the event feeling incredibly proud and inspired by the collective achievements of our winners. Many congratulations to all those students, staff members and teams who took home a national award, as well as those who experienced success at their in-school Best in Everyone Awards.”

To commemorate their hard work, each winner received tickets for themselves and several guests to attend the awards ceremony and black-tie dinner. Winners were presented with an engraved glass award by Sir Jon, Group Chair Richard Greenhalgh and representatives from our sponsor companies.

Taking home two of the evening’s most prestigious awards were Ruth Robinson and Peter Mulholland, who each received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their outstanding careers as teachers and school leaders.

Ruth, who served as Principal of Swindon Academy until February of this year and is due to retire next month, said:

“It was a wonderful surprise to be nominated and receive this lifetime award.  It has been a huge privilege to lead Swindon Academy and serve the communities of Penhill and Pinehurst for the past 11 years. I have loved watching our pupils flourish and achieve under the care of an incredible senior leadership team, dedicated teachers and committed support staff. I will take away many happy and fond memories of my time as Principal of Swindon Academy with me into my retirement. I would like to wish the pupils and staff all the very best for the future.”

Peter, who has led William Hulme’s Grammar School (WHGS) for 15 years and is set to retire at the end of this academic year, said:

“I am delighted to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. There have been many challenges along the way but I am proud that WHGS still remains one of the most oversubscribed schools in Greater Manchester. It is humbling to have been able to serve such a diverse community and to see so many children from less privileged backgrounds go on to lead successful lives. I have also been so lucky to have worked for many years with a highly skilled and loyal team at WHGS.”

Gisele Kadesire, a student at Sheffield Springs Academy, was named Young Hero of the Year for the work she has done to speak on behalf of young carers and the wider contribution she has made to school life. Speaking of her win, Gisele said:

“I feel so grateful to have received this award. It is an incredible experience to be at the national awards.”

From Barnsley Academy, Year 11 student Jack was crowned Sportsman of the Year for his unparalleled achievements in the world of kickboxing. Jack said:

“I am truly grateful to have received this award. To have been recognised in this way shows that my hard work is paying off in more ways than one. Kickboxing has always been very important to me; it has taught me respect, determination and to dedicate myself to anything I wish to achieve. It is a sport that brings a lot of positivity into my life and I believe it can for many young people.”

As well as a live awards ceremony in Birmingham, videos announcing the winners were posted on United Learning’s Twitter account for peers, colleagues and families at home to enjoy. A full list of the winners and a link to their video can be found below.

Thank you to Barker Associates, IDNS, Ingleton Wood and Bowmer+Kirkland who kindly sponsored our 2023 awards.

Award Name

School Name

Name of National Award Winner

Celebration Video

Secondary Pupil Awards

Art

Ashford School

Bo W.

https://youtu.be/FyMeoIIolWA

Business

Kettering Buccleuch Academy

Kasey W.

https://youtu.be/ZlbUvx4BrrE

Computing

Barnsley Academy

Drew L.

https://youtu.be/oSvWvr-QJZg

Creative Writing

Barnsley Academy

Elliot B.

https://youtu.be/Ow5XHBgHaRg

Dance

Shoreham Academy

Zak S.

https://youtu.be/MtGz5IoJP8c

Design Technology

Midhurst Rother College

Gwen K.

https://youtu.be/nFQfk9-a_xE

Drama (U16)

Sedgehill Academy

Tina L.

https://youtu.be/znSR42ErTV4

Drama (KS5)         

Guildford High School

Beth M.

https://youtu.be/KJRwkUZ5uBw

English Literature

AKS Lytham

Pippa M.

https://youtu.be/vCgIaQAHyJA

Geography

Paddington Academy

Ahmad A.

https://youtu.be/Sdn9rz5iOsQ

History

The John Roan School

Joey A.

https://youtu.be/35Q1fcLbYac

Leadership and Service

AKS Lytham

Priyanka R.

https://youtu.be/YhM86sM394o

Maths

The Elms Academy

Lloyd W.

https://youtu.be/byeKzvoZu_Q

MFL (U16)

Castle View Academy

Kirill  K.

https://youtu.be/W48HjTmDb5U

MFL (Senior)                  

Guildford High School

Emily D.

https://youtu.be/ut8U6APXrBI

Music - Composition

Northampton Academy

Meshack N.

https://youtu.be/B8SewmQEnHI

Music - Performance

Avonbourne Girls' Academy

Peggy B.

https://youtu.be/nGlIwefNSEE

Religious Studies

The Cornerstone Academy

Emma R.

https://youtu.be/sfkHqffDmTQ

Science

The Elms Academy

Adzor A.

https://youtu.be/1bUDQXSrS7o

Social Science

Northampton Academy

Hector C.

https://youtu.be/fKJkKsH21hk

Sportsman of the year

Barnsley Academy

Jack B.

https://youtu.be/nmAJsU9XzFc

Sportswoman of the year (U16)

Shoreham Academy

Alana C.

https://youtu.be/QmcPE5R7Xdw

Sportswoman of the year (KS5) 

Guildford High School

Ailsa S.       

https://youtu.be/qGQQaDZcpAU

Sustainability Award

Avonbourne Girls' Academy

Laura Tsabet. and Shayla Donnelly

https://youtu.be/lqog9riTz8k

 

Team of the year

Surbiton High School

U18 Surbiton High School Tennis Team: Isabelle L, Nao N, Rosie S, Amelia T and Frankie T

https://youtu.be/Hdem_YwMqcM

 

Young Hero of the year

Sheffield Springs Academy                         

Gisele K.

https://youtu.be/oD7GD1IZagA

 

Secondary Staff Awards

ECT of the year

The Elm Academy

Poppy Thomas

https://youtu.be/hmDf_p-XCbI

Inspirational Teacher of the year

Parkside Community College

Lauren Wilson

https://youtu.be/YkpsSVkFGtw

Lifetime Achievement Award

Swindon Academy

Ruth Robinson

https://youtu.be/KniF3t8NUF4

Lifetime Achievement Award

William Hulme’s Grammar School

Peter Mulholland

https://youtu.be/OPPV5Pezxbg

School Governor of the year

Sheffield Park Academy

David Green

https://youtu.be/5TL1-Z6eEfg

School Leader of the year

The John Roan School

Elly Porter

https://youtu.be/Q9eEc3ALJGQ

Staff Team of the year

Glenmoor and Winton Academies

Diversity and Inclusion Champions: Kishan Khetia; Chelsea Dunning; Amy Ringrose; Jodie Boakes; Warren Doyle

https://youtu.be/FmILbxI3kWQ

Support Staff of the year

Castle View Academy

Teresa Stray

https://youtu.be/uBZHLESn-_I

Teaching Assistant of the year

The Cornerstone Academy

Ednea Soares

https://youtu.be/ZGHAmVfC084

Primary Staff Awards

ECT of the year

William Hulme’s Grammar School

Hal Rabey

https://youtu.be/HNKH9jFnyxQ

Inspirational Teacher of the year

Avonwood Primary

Jessica Short

https://youtu.be/0lZxb-XHAVo

Lifetime Achievement Award

Hunningley Primary School

Pauline Dinsdale

https://youtu.be/zLOg0NV6kKQ

School Governor of the year

Rowan Preparatory School

Jo Marr

https://youtu.be/p_84dtsi1lI

School Leader of the year

Hunningley Primary School

Kirsty Hughes

https://youtu.be/5k5wIM1EqX0

Staff Team of the year

Ashford Preparatory School

EYFS; Sue Yeates, Fran Russell, Sarah House, Marion Woolley, Katie Cridland and their large team of EYP and supporting staff

https://youtu.be/2cL5lrRYCM0

Support Staff of the year

Hanwell Fields Community School

Alison Gordon

https://youtu.be/jsX4XvCne38

Teaching Assistant of the year

Grange Primary Academy

Lisa Savva

https://youtu.be/6sbVddmNELk

Central Office Awards

 

Central Office

Frazer Smith

 

 

Central Office

Beth Walker

 
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