The shortlist for the 2025 Educate Awards has been announced, revealing a significant number of nominations for schools and educational trusts across Merseyside. Now in its 14th year, the prestigious awards programme celebrates excellence in the education sector, with the final winners to be revealed at a ceremony on Friday, 14 November, at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
The nominations span 21 categories, recognising the efforts of teachers, support staff, and leadership teams. Schools from Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, and St Helens feature prominently, highlighting the region's commitment to outstanding educational practices.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Educate Awards shortlist has been released, with a strong representation from Merseyside schools.
- The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 14 November, at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
- Now in its 14th year, the event includes 21 categories covering various aspects of education.
- Liverpool, Sefton, and Wirral schools are nominated in multiple categories, including leadership, arts, sport, and community engagement.
Celebrating Educational Excellence in the North West
The Educate Awards have become a key event in the academic calendar for the North West of England. For fourteen years, the programme has provided a platform to shine a spotlight on the innovation and hard work that occurs within schools and colleges. The 21 categories are designed to cover the full spectrum of school life, from core subjects like STEM and the arts to vital areas such as mental health support and environmental sustainability.
The awards aim to recognise not just academic achievement but also the pastoral care, community involvement, and strategic leadership that create a positive learning environment. The judging panel looks for inspirational stories and impactful initiatives that make a lasting difference to students and their communities.
The Significance of the Awards
The Educate Awards were founded to celebrate the often-unsung heroes of the education sector. By highlighting best practices, the awards encourage collaboration and inspire other schools to adopt innovative approaches to teaching and student support.
Kim O’Brien, the founder of the Educate Awards, commented on the high standard of entries for 2025 and congratulated the nominees from the Liverpool City Region.
“Congratulations to the Liverpool schools and multi academy trust on being shortlisted for this year’s Educate Awards. Each year, we are blown away by the incredible work taking place across the region, and 2025 has been no exception. This year’s shortlist is a true reflection of the innovation and dedication shown by senior leadership teams, teachers and support staff.”
Merseyside Schools Recognised Across Multiple Categories
Schools from across the Merseyside area have secured nominations in a wide array of categories, demonstrating broad strength in the region's education system. The nominations reflect excellence in everything from school leadership to specific departmental achievements.
Leadership and Staff Recognition
Several Merseyside schools are in the running for awards that honour exceptional individuals and teams. In the Leadership Team of the Year category, both Archbishop Blanch School in Liverpool and Churchtown Primary School in Sefton have been shortlisted.
The School Support Star of the Year award features multiple local nominees, including Karen Elcombe from Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School in Sefton, Kellie Tisdale from The Birkenhead Park School in Wirral, and Sam Cookson from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, also in Sefton. Rainford High's Sam Harvey is also shortlisted for Teacher of the Year.
A Region of Strong Multi Academy Trusts
The category for Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust includes two from the region: BePART Educational Trust in Wirral and The People’s Learning Trust in Liverpool, showcasing collaborative success at a strategic level.
Curriculum and Specialist Provision
Merseyside schools have also been recognised for their outstanding delivery of the curriculum. For Outstanding Commitment to STEM, The Mosslands School in Wirral and Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool are nominated.
In the arts, local schools shine brightly. The shortlist for Outstanding Arts in Primary School includes Banks Road Primary School in Liverpool and Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School in Sefton. For secondary schools, Meols Cop High School in Sefton, St John Bosco Arts College in Liverpool, and West Kirby Grammar School in Wirral are all contenders.
Other key nominations include:
- Outstanding SEND Provision: Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool.
- School Library of the Year: Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School, Sefton; St Hilda’s CE High School, Liverpool; St Mary’s Catholic Junior Academy, St Helens.
- Careers & Enterprise Award: Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral; Kew Woods Primary School, Sefton; St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy, Liverpool; Wirral Grammar School for Boys.
Focus on Student Wellbeing and Community Links
The awards also place a strong emphasis on the holistic development of students and the school's role within the wider community. The Lord Frank Field Community Partnership Award sees Maghull High School in Sefton shortlisted for its work in building strong local connections.
Commitment to sport is another area where Merseyside schools have excelled. Netherton Moss Primary School in Sefton is nominated for Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School, while Maghull High School features again in the secondary school equivalent.
Environmental and Communication Efforts
The importance of sustainability and effective communication is reflected in dedicated award categories. Hope Academy in St Helens and The Academy of St Nicholas in Liverpool are both shortlisted for Outstanding Commitment to the Environment & Sustainability.
For the Most Impactful Communications Award, three local institutions are nominated: Maghull High School in Sefton, St Edward’s College in Liverpool, and St John Bosco Arts College in Liverpool. This category recognises schools that engage effectively with parents, students, and the community.
Celebrating the Most Inspirational Institutions
Several categories are dedicated to identifying the most inspirational schools, colleges, and trusts. This is often seen as one of the highest honours of the evening.
Merseyside institutions nominated in these key categories include:
- Most Inspirational Specialist School: Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool and Knowsley Central Primary School, Knowsley.
- Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College: Ascent Autism Specialist College, St Helens and Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral.
- Most Inspirational Secondary School: Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Liverpool and St Edward’s College, Liverpool.
- Most Inspirational Primary School: Churchtown Primary School, Sefton and St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton.
Additionally, Hillside High School in Sefton is nominated for the WOW Recognition Award, which acknowledges schools that have demonstrated exceptional character and spirit.
The extensive list of nominees from across Merseyside underscores the quality and diversity of educational provision in the region. The final results will be eagerly awaited by staff, students, and parents ahead of the November ceremony.