News stories

04 July 2025

Pupils and Staff Celebrate at Best in Everyone Awards 2025

Catgeories : Group news School news

On Friday 20th June, students and staff from United Learning’s schools across the country came together for the Best in Everyone Awards ceremony 2025 for a wonderful evening celebrating the achievements of the past academic year.

Held annually since 2013, the Best in Everyone Awards celebrate the accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular, of students and staff at the Group’s schools nationwide. Following an in-school awards ceremony, each school then nominated their very best winners for the National Awards. Selected out of an impressive field of candidates, the lucky winners were invited to receive their awards at the prestigious ceremony, this year held at Oxford Town Hall. A virtual ceremony also took place online with videos posted on social media for colleagues, friends and family to enjoy.

At the ceremony, the winners were each given an engraved glass award by Sir Jon Coles to commemorate their achievements and enjoyed special musical performances from students Jude Gibbs from The John Roan School and Edward Grant from Midhurst Rother College.

To recognise the contributions of primary pupils in the Group, separate regional Northern and Southern ceremonies were also held at Hunningley Primary Academy in Yorkshire and Langford Primary School in London. 

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

“Congratulations to all our highly deserving award winners who we celebrated at this year’s Best in Everyone Awards ceremony in Oxford. From highlighting outstanding academic achievements to sporting and musical prowess, as well as those who go above and beyond to support others, the awards are a fantastic reflection of the wonderful students, staff and teams that we are lucky to have across United Learning. Each year, I am hugely impressed by our award winners and their extraordinary accomplishments, and this year was no exception. I hope they are all very proud of their success.”  

One of the most prestigious awards of the night went to Paul McKinney at Paddington Academy who was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his commitment to the school for nearly 40 years. 

Paul said:

"After 19 years at Paddington Academy and many more in teaching, I’ve continued to grow as an educator — always looking for ways to learn and improve. It’s been an amazing evening. It feels great to connect with other schools and be reminded that we are all one community under United Learning."

Another award celebrating committed service went to The Totteridge Academy’s retiring Chair of Governors Bronwen Tumani who was named ‘School Governor of the Year’, recognising her significant contributions since who took up the role in 2017. 

Speaking about Bronwen’s legacy, Chris Fairbairn, Principal of The Totteridge Academy, said:

“These awards have provided an important opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contribution of our Chair of Governors, Bronwen Tumani, as she steps down from the role this summer. We are indebted to her for her time, energy and enthusiasm and her unwavering support of our school over so many years. Bronwen is part of the fabric of TTA and has undoubtedly made it a better place – we can’t thank her enough.”

From Irlam and Cadishead Academy, the school’s Social Action Team won ‘Student Team of the Year’ for the excellent work they have done to teach students across the school how to deliver CPR.

Commenting on their award, one member of the Social Action Team, Kirsty, said:

“I’m so glad I joined the Team because of the experiences and opportunities we’ve had. Winning the award is such a great accomplishment—we’re all really proud of it.”

Meanwhile, at the Regional Primary Pupil Awards, James Acton at Hill View Primary School was named ‘Sports Boy of the Year’ for his talents as a cricket player. He is a proud member of the England Performance Squad and represents Oxfordshire in county cricket, where he consistently delivers outstanding performances.

James said:

“Wow—this is amazing! I’m so excited and honoured to be accepting the award. I want to start by saying a big thank you to my coaches, my teammates, and my family. You’ve all helped me so much, and I couldn’t have done this without you.”

A full list of the winners can be found below:

 

Award Name

School Name

Name of Winner 

YouTube Link

Secondary Pupil Awards

Creative Arts (Year 7-9)

Shoreham Academy

Heidi Martin

https://youtu.be/lIqsZ5HRNAM

English (Year 7-9)

William Hulme's Grammar School

Sham Al-Hussain

https://youtu.be/3UsBDm7r5Bc

Geography (Year 7-9)

Embley

Ewan Dermody

https://youtu.be/x6_gmTOQ6zY

History (Year 7-9)

Paddington Academy

Sarah Maaloul

https://youtu.be/0tpqcIo7uYE

Maths (Year 7-9)

Surbiton High School

Grace Lee

https://youtu.be/rov9l62fI8w

MFL (Year 7-9)

Midhurst Rother College

Betty Hayter

https://youtu.be/wGPL2_9x3Hg

Art (Year 10-13)

Ashford School

Ava Costick

https://youtu.be/6Bj-Rcl8ycA

Biology (Year 10-13)

Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology

Marta Burnside

https://youtu.be/QJBk6X9qQdU

Chemistry (Year 10-13) 

The John Roan School

Nada Ahmed

https://youtu.be/oHLD2Xovtkw

Business

Heath Lane Academy

George Brown

https://youtu.be/nxE8qbQIfxo

Character

Northampton Academy

Sarah Koffi

https://youtu.be/PvLTFQeJ8Tk

Computing

Newstead Wood School

Diya Jeeva

https://youtu.be/Y2aKmfENd6E

Dance (Year 10-13)

Shoreham Academy

Millie O'Neil

https://youtu.be/ChsNCuJx554

Drama (Year 10-13)

Seahaven Academy

Chloe Masters

https://youtu.be/9atNPJYJKR8

English (Year 10-13)

North Oxfordshire Academy

Millie Freeman

https://youtu.be/nvypMj9Wih0

Geography (Year 10-13)

Surbiton High School

Sophia Cross

 

History (Year 10-13)

Huish Episcopi Academy

Julia Cole

https://youtu.be/LQdOUlrE2ho

Leadership and Service

Ernest Bevin Academy

Kwasi Agyekum-Koranchie

https://youtu.be/IFGF_pk1kaw

Maths (Year 10-13)

The Totteridge Academy

Oskar Graham-Taylor

https://youtu.be/0yWjzKfwq44

MFL (Year 10-13)

Surbiton High School

Gemma Golding

 

Music Composition (Year 10-13) 

The John Roan School

Jude Gibbs

https://youtu.be/JkXobihuP1o

Music Performance (Year 10-13) 

Midhurst Rother College

Edward Grant

https://youtu.be/ZxBDj_YnCoA

Physics (Year 10-13)

Surbiton High School

Sophia Reyner

 

Religious Studies

Salford City Academy

Dalal Aldosha

https://youtu.be/giZ3ncD9P-k

Social Science

Kettering Buccleuch Academy

Ofure Okondo

https://youtu.be/GnvqtPmxwHs

Sports Team of the Year

Ashford School

1st XI Girls Hockey Team

https://youtu.be/Lm99u62NXzw

Sportsman of the Year

Campion School

Josh Bland

https://youtu.be/bD8VqF2i3tM

Sportswoman of the Year

Newstead Wood School

Arina Kontchakov

https://youtu.be/3EwesACCiic

Student Team of the Year

Irlam and Cadishead Academy

Social Action Team

https://youtu.be/kn7Gvq7oMVE

Staff Awards

Business Support Colleague of the Year

Seahaven Academy

Daniel Young

https://youtu.be/VAoNIBuWpNs

ECT of the Year

The John Roan School

Jacob Lines

https://youtu.be/d8urR3WPc9M

Education Support Colleague of the Year

William Hulme's Grammar School

Michelle Simms

https://youtu.be/u2q1cyKK96s

Lifetime Achievement Award     

Paddington Academy 

Paul Mckinney

https://youtu.be/eKXqGvDKT0I

School Leader of the Year

Dukesgate Academy

Lisa Robinson

https://youtu.be/84CqhcYlglY

Secondary Teacher of the Year

Barnsley Academy

Harriet Edge

https://youtu.be/uc56vOm-6ik

Primary Teacher of the Year

William Hulme's Grammar School

Kate Thomas

https://youtu.be/vrxqV19MGEQ

School Governor of the Year

The Totteridge Academy

Bronwen Tumani

https://youtu.be/ylB-9ukPBDY

Staff Team of the Year                    

Rowan Preparatory School

Rowan Sports Department

https://youtu.be/ZA3oCjo0mnk

Central office Awards

Central Office Award

HR Business Partner - Independent Schools

Susie Mooney

https://youtu.be/OZD04Fp2hmI

Sustainability Award

Newstead Wood School

Adam Botley

https://youtu.be/dLxQDiWtw7k

Regional Primary Pupil Awards

Character - Primary North

Kettering Buccleuch Academy

Felicia Winton-Kemenczes

https://youtu.be/z2P_BdZ1GoQ

Character - Primary South

Swindon Academy

Penny Whittle

https://youtu.be/SP-_lyz6yvg

Creative Arts - Primary North

Hunningley Primary School

Celine Vladislav

https://youtu.be/6SpYrWtF5CY

Creative Arts - Primary South

Ashford Prep School

Isaac Morris

https://youtu.be/MMOtXC2vjFo

English - Primary North

Cravenwood Primary Academy

Dhiyara Binu

https://youtu.be/5PLboHXAYQ4

English - Primary South

Banstead Prep School

Fin Welch

https://youtu.be/F0BhWmuoZr4

Humanities - Primary North

The Galfrid School

Gabriele Pace

https://youtu.be/DyDufI-N-2Q

Leadership and Service - Primary North

Abbey Hey Primary Academy

Nicole Rudden

https://youtu.be/6yceB81xl64

Leadership and Service - Primary South

Banstead Prep School

Amara Chaudhary

https://youtu.be/zOXBCWUpNIY

Maths - Primary North

Lincoln Minster Prep School

Jack Craddock

https://youtu.be/nKOhKkDA4Tk

Maths - Primary South

Fulham Primary School

Maya Alamin

https://youtu.be/j7rPb2EPCSA

Science - Primary North

Abbey Hey Primary Academy

Line Qa'Aqeh

https://youtu.be/JyBD_Gue20s

Sports Girl of the Year - Primary South

Swindon Academy

Victoria Lawniczak

https://youtu.be/8IUpzh_hut4

Sports Girl of the Year - Primary North

Lincoln Minster Prep School

Lilian Nicholson

https://youtu.be/3wF9Ecjnkn4

Sports Boy of the Year - Primary North

Hill View Primary School

James Acton

https://youtu.be/xlARIw8lQ-s

 

 

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