The Worcestershire Education Awards shine a spotlight on those who continue to make a difference in the field of education.
This is the seventh year the awards have taken place.
They seek to reward members of the teaching and education sector for their hard work both in the classroom and behind the scenes — from class teachers to dinner ladies, headteachers to teaching assistants and nursery staff to college lecturers.
We know from our previous awards how much of a difference many teachers make to the lives of our young people.
The 2025 awards will run across all of our local titles and websites — Worcester News, Malvern Gazette, Evesham Journal, Bromsgrove & Droitwich Advertiser, Kidderminster Shuttle and Redditch Advertiser.
Awards will be presented in 12 categories and we look forward to reading all of this year’s nominations and the wonder stories that are shared.
Stephanie Preece, the editor at Worcester News, said: “We are overjoyed to once again be running the Worcestershire Education Awards.
“The awards recognise the incredible and ongoing commitment of teachers, support staff and volunteers at our schools and colleges.
“We look forward to seeing this year’s nominations and sharing their wonderful stories.”
Nominating someone is really easy and takes only a few minutes — all you need to do is visit www.worcesternews.co.uk/worcestershireeduca tionawards.
The deadline for entries is Sunday, January 26.
We will be hosting the 2025 awards ceremony as a black-tie event on Thursday, April 3 at the Bank House Hotel, Worcester.
The 12 award categories are:
EARLY YEARS EDUCATION AWARD This award will go to an innovative and successful child-minding provider, nursery, pre-school or organisation which stands out from the rest for their early years support or provision. They should be able to clearly demonstrate the impact their work has had on their users or the children in their care.
PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR This award will go to an exceptional primary school. Has this school shone with outstanding achievements? Have they made improvements and seen great results? Have they introduced something new and exciting to improve the education of the pupils? Was it down to innovative ways of working, parental involvement, pure determination — or something else?
SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR This award will go to an exceptional secondary school. We are not only looking for academic achievement, we also want the entries to demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop young people in ways that go beyond the league tables.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OF THE YEAR This award will go to an exceptional independent school. We are not only looking for academic achievement, we also want the entries to demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop young people in ways that go beyond the league tables.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD The judges will be looking for an educational organisation or scheme which has benefitted its community and beyond. The winner could be a parents’ association supporting their school, a proactive approach to work experience, a school raising money for charity or an innovative scheme building bridges between communities.
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS (SENCO) AWARD This award will go to a teacher, department or organisation providing exceptional support for those with special educational needs or disabilities.
HEAD TEACHER/PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR This award will go to an inspirational head teacher or principal who has shown exceptional leadership, management, teaching skills and commitment to their school or college.
TEACHER/LECTURER OF THE YEAR This award will recognise a teacher or lecturer who inspires and engages students to fulfil their potential and makes an exceptional contribution to the life of their school or college.
NEW TEACHER OF THE YEAR This category celebrates the achievements of those who are new into the profession, for example a newly-qualified teacher. Entrants should have been in education for no more than three years.
STEM PROJECT OF THE YEAR We want to hear about primary, secondary and higher-education students’ STEM projects in science, technology, engineering and maths-related areas. These could be projects completed in school time, extra-curricular clubs or as part of a trip or external delivery. We want to hear how you have promoted STEM and engage students in science-related activities, what they have learnt and how they have gone on to implement these skills.
SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR An award for a member of support staff, or a team of support staff, who always give exceptional service and make a real difference to their educational establishment through their work.
UNSUNG HERO AWARD Awarded to the person in recognition of their outstanding personality and enthusiastic approach who can demonstrate that they go the extra mile. This could be open to all staff members, teachers or the wider range of support professionals.