Outstanding examples in education

The 2015 Education Business Awards, supported by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), will once again recognise outstanding achievements in the UK education sector, and the hard work and dedication of teachers, department heads business managers and support staff that are instrumental in contributing to the success of the school.
    
22 categories focus on academic progress, facilities, best practice, specialisms and innovation. Shortlisted organisations are given free tickets to attend the glittering awards ceremony, which includes a champagne drinks reception and four course luncheon, before the winning schools are revealed. The Awards, which take place on 8 July at London’s Grange Hotel in St Pauls, will be presented by Cheryl Baker. Baker is an English television presenter and singer, best known for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, who won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest.

Outstanding Progress
The Outstanding Progress Award, presented individually for Independent, Primary and Secondary schools, is presented to the school that has made outstanding progress in educational performance.
    
Last year,the Outstanding Progress Award for an Independent School went to Kings College School, London, whose students received a ‘perfect’ mark of 45 points in the International Baccalaureate, a result not seen in any other school in the world.

The Award for Outstanding Progress for a Primary School was awarded to Bourne Westfield Primary Academy, where teaching, pupil achievement, and behaviour and safety were all given a top rating in this year’s Ofsted report.
    
The Secondary School title, sponsored by OKI, was presented to Bishop Thomas Grant School, who were recently praised for the ‘excellent progress’ made, in particular the work it does to help disadvantaged young people.

Partnership working
The Academy Partnership Award, sponsored by eTeach, is presented to the established specialist academy that can demonstrate benefits to the community through a partnership with a existing establishment. In 2014, Westwood Academy, in Coventry, which was cited as exemplary in community cohesion, teaching and learning won the award.

Staying safe and healthy
Featured for the first time in 2014, the Excellence in Health and Safety Award, sponsored by IOSH, will once again celebrate best practice in operational health and safety. Last year’s winners, Linden Lodge, also celebrated 10 years of ‘Outstanding’ recognition by Ofsted, ensuring that the organisation is a safe and happy place to be.
    
Another new award last year was Innovation in Health and Safety, also sponsored by IOSH. 2014 winners, St. Laurence Primary, demonstrated an astute grasp of how to lobby both local and national government to improve the safety of their environment.

IT and Computing
The ICT Innovation Award, sponsored by Sam Learning, is awarded to the educational establishment in the UK that can demonstrate innovation in its approach to teaching and deploying Information and Communication technologies that further the learning experience of its students. The 2014 winner was Fulford School, Yorkshire, which runs animation and programming clubs where sixth formers are able to share advice and help younger students.

Special Educational Needs
The SEN Inclusion Award, sponsored by nasen, is presented to the UK mainstream School that can demonstrate an increase in the quality of care and education services provided to students with Special Educational Needs.
    
Last year, Corsham Primary School, Wiltshiren won the award due to its recognition of SEN with the intention of addressing unmet needs; and enabling children to have an ability to engage, and develop skills and knowledge to achieve, succeed and even excel beyond their potential across all areas of the curriculum.
    
The SEN Provision Award, also sponsored by nasen, is presented to the UK SEN Establishment that can demonstrate quality of care and education services for Special Educational Needs pupils. Last year, Centre Academy, London won the award. This southwest London Academy has been described as one of the most successful special needs schools in the UK and, indeed, one of the most unique. It is also the leading independent school for SEN in London.

Catering for success
School Catering Award, sponsored by YPO, is presented to an educational establishment in the UK that can demonstrate a commitment to healthy eating and value for money through the provision of a first class catering service available to all students.
    
Last years winner was Abbey School, Kent. This school achieved a Food for Life Partnership Award. The school guarantees that 75 per cent of all dishes served are freshly prepared and contain mean from farms with high welfare standards and eggs from cage-free hens.

Sports and music Awards
The Sports Award is presented to the educational establishment that can demonstrate an outstanding commitment to developing the sporting skills of its students through the provision of first class facilities and coaching programmes. The 2014 winners were Chobham Academy, London, which won a Youth Sports Trust Award for Excellence in Physical Education for its international practice in developing independent learning in PE.
    
The School Music Award is presented to the educational establishment that can demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of musical learning through the provision of a first class teaching environment.

Lindley Junior School won the award last year, recognising its students participation in many choir competitions throughout the country.

Further information
www.ebawards.co.uk