2025 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 200+ 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 2025 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:
Steve Parkinson
The Vale Federation
Dawn Boyes
United Learning
Lisa Tupman
Synergy Learning Trust
Leadership Team of the Year Award
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:
Stanhope Primary School
Atlas Primary School
Freshfield 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:
Stanhope Primary School
The Lakes School, Windermere
Beaumont Leys School
EdTech Innovator of the Year Award
Sponsored by VenturEd Solutions
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:
Woodland Academy Trust
Crosswaithe C.E. Primary School
The Hastings 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 estates.
The nominees of the Estates Management of the Year Award are:
Endeavour Learning Trust
Lee Rushforth
Wickersley Partnership Trust
Terry Bland
Elevate Multi Academy Trust
MAT of the Year Award
Sponsored by Phone Locker
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:
E-ACT
Wade Deacon Trust
Kings Group Academies
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:
Shaun Flynn
The Gainsborough Academy
Jeffery Lough
Northern Counties School
Vicky Bayley
Eastfield Academy
SEND Leader of the Year Award
SEND practice continues to be an incredibly challenging but crucial part of the education sector and a domain which requires the full support of a school and/or trust. We are looking for a SEND leader who consistently strives to improve educational outcomes and provide the highest quality support for their pupils, both through their own endeavours and through collaboration with their leadership team.
The nominees of the SEND Leader of the Year Award are:
Zoey Shelley
Acorn School
Robert Bell
Consillium Academies
Melissa Hendry
Red Gates School Croydon