2024 Shortlisted Nominees

Meet All The Shortlisted Nominees

We’ve had such an amazing response this year and it has been phenomenal to receive an unprecedented number of nominations!

Our judges carefully read through 130+ entries from a variety of talented teams across the sector and were overwhelmed by the exceptionally high standard of nominations submitted.
While we can not present everyone with an award, each and every nomination we received is truly deserving of recognition for their continued dedication, hard work and achievements.

Join us to congratulate the 2024 shortlisted nominees for the National Schools Awards below. We look forward to celebrating you all at the ceremony!

School Business Leader of the Year Award

This award celebrates an exceptional school business leader who has radically reinvented the perception of the traditional school business manager within not just their own setting but across their local region and is a trailblazer for projecting professionalism.
They will also show an exceptional ability to for delivering excellent resource management across their own school, ensuring financial viability whilst still improving pupil outcomes.

The Nominees of the School Business Leader of the Year award are:

Mark O’Brien

Marjory Kinnon School

Catherine Franchi

Selborne Primary School

Sharon Marsh

Freelance School Business Manager

Leadership Team of the Year Award

Sponsored by Capita Entrust

This award celebrates individuals/schools that are driving the strategic direction of their school, through joined-up leadership across the SBP, Headteacher and Chair of Governor in developing a strategic plan for the school and developing appropriate budgets and long-term planning to facility these plans.
The winner demonstrates a positive impact on securing the sustainability of the school, whilst improving pupil outcomes.

The Nominees of the Leadership Team of the Year Award are:

Acorn School

Northern Counties School
(Percy Hedley Foundation)

Broadbridge Primary School

School of the Year Award

Sponsored by Reed

This award will celebrate a school that has delivered huge improvements for their pupils’ outcomes, improved year-on-year through its exam results, introduced a new and innovative curriculum that has provided tangible results, overcome a challenging period or simply worked tirelessly to ensure the successful running of their school and general wellbeing of the staff and pupils at the school.

The nominees of the School of the Year Award are:

Avon Park School

Red Oak Primary School

Masefield Primary School

Cardinal Pole School

Phoenix Bay School

EdTech Innovator of the Year Award

This award celebrates an individual or school who has helped to introduce new EdTech into their school setting for the benefit of pupils and staff or the general efficiency of their school.

The nominees of the EdTech Innovator of the Year Award are:

Adam Webster

Caterham School

James McNaughton

LVS Ascot

Goldsmith Primary Academy

Estates Management of the Year Award

Sponsored by MAC Construction Consultants

A school estate is one of the most critical parts of a school’s success and the management of school buildings and infrastructure is often an overlooked aspect of day-to-day school life. As such, this award will recognise those who have continued to manage and improve their schools’ buildings and estate throughout the pandemic and beyond.

The nominees of the Estates Management of the Year Award are:

Anne Alsop

Cheltenham Bournside School

Jason Smart

St Augustine’s Academy

Mo Millar

Acer Trust

Phil Whittall

Leigh Academies Trust

MAT of the Year Award

Sponsored by RM Education

This award celebrates a MAT that has successfully turned around their schools or has managed to grow whilst maintaining or increasing positive pupil outcomes. The MAT can be any size and should show examples of using innovation and imagination to improve their schools.

The nominees of the MAT of the Year Award are:

Life Education Trust

Vine Schools Trust

Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust

Ivy Learning Trust

Governor of the Year Award

Governors play a vital role in the smooth running and management of a school and the relationship with the senior leadership team is critical to ensure positive pupil and staff outcomes. As such, this award celebrates school Governor that has performed above and beyond their role in providing exceptional advice, leadership and guidance in the running of their school.

The nominees of the Governor of the Year Award are: 

Lily Man

Selly Park Girls School

Clare Greenhalgh

DRET Schools

Brian Main

Birchwood Junior School

School Resource Management of the Year Award

Managing your school’s resources effectively can have a massive impact on improving pupil outcomes. Driving value out of existing resources by managing current staff, estates and funds can ensure efficiencies and a better school environment. Therefore, this award recognises individuals, teams or schools for their excellent management of resources throughout the year.

The nominees of the School Resource Management of the Year Award are:

STEP Academy Trust

River Learning Trust