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.