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Welcome to the Milton Keynes Education Awards.

This Year’s Host

Louie Spence

Given the wealth of talent in the Milton Keynes education sector, it seems only right that we recognise the achievements of the schools and teachers who provide children across the city with the learning experiences they need. And it’s not just teaching staff and schools – the Milton Keynes Education Awards also celebrates personnel and teams, from headteachers and school business managers to subject-specialist individuals and teams, and those working with children with individual needs.

All Things Business holds an Outstanding rating from the Awards Trustmark Scheme, which was established with the aim of encouraging more award programmes to focus on their own ethics and transparency. The scheme scrutinises everything from criteria, scoring, feedback, transparency and judging. This means that all entries are scored against set criteria and marked through a bespoke software-based scoring system before finalists are selected. The finalists will then be considered by the independent judges to choose a winner.

Any individual or school in education in Milton Keynes can enter the awards, and nominations are also welcome from friends, family, colleagues, parents and students. So, what are you waiting for? We’d love to hear from you.

See our 2024 Awards WInners

2023 Winners

Stuart Hoggard

Lifetime Achievement
The judges felt that both finalists demonstrated a long-term commitment to their profession; however, the winner of the Lifetime Achievement category has consistently gone above and beyond what is expected of them, enhancing young people’s futures and increasing their life chances.

Lord Grey Academy

Secondary School of the Year
The judges saw, in this entry, a school that is proud of its results and the progress that has been made, but which is also a school that is not driven by academic results alone and which puts emphasis on how the students become well-rounded, value-driven determined adults.

Knowles Primary School

Primary School of the Year
Among an incredibly competitive field, there were a couple of stand-out entrants, but the judging panel was impressed by this school’s focus on promoting individual learning experiences which keeping a focus on enjoying childhood.

Finlay Douglas

Headteacher of the Year
Firstly, the judges were impressed by the strengths of each of the finalists, but the winner was someone who stood out for their track record of excellent leadership, as demonstrated by a thorough 360-degree view provided by feedback from students, staff, parents and inspectors.

Sally Seminerio

School Business Manager of the Year
What the judges found outstanding was how far this individual goes for the school and the community at large, and is the pivot for so much that happens in and around the school. They always know what to do, whatever the situation.

The Bletchley Park Learning Team

STEM Award
The judges felt that this finalist demonstrated how effective it can be to engage young people in the core STEM subjects in a creative way by providing quality learning with a focus on real-life applications.

The Walnuts School

SEND School of the Year
The winner has recognised the importance of preparing young people for adult life, employability and training. They have raised awareness of the importance of engaging with the wider community and have significantly improved the aspirations and outcomes for the children in their care.

Glebe Farm School

Environmental and Sustainability Award
This award recognizes the importance of education in promoting environmental sustainability. The judges found this entrant’s values and achievements impressive, offering a glimpse into a promising future for the 21st Century and beyond..

New Bradwell Young Leaders

Sports Award
The judges were extremely impressed with this school, where leadership is important, involvement is everything and the commitment to sport and to encouraging everyone to take part is paramount.

Gemma Williamson

English Team/Teacher of the Year
This was a very tight contest as both nominees displayed strength, commitment and demonstrated extremely positive results. However, the judges felt that the testimonial submitted by the parent of a child taught by the winner was powerful, compelling, and showcased an overwhelming commitment to the furtherance of the students.

Lewis Kaye

Maths Team/Teacher of the Year
They said although it was a difficult decision, this finalist stood out as having very high expectations for all their students, always encouraging them and instilling a love of maths as well as producing results to be proud of.
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It was humbling to be surrounded by so many extraordinary people who have dedicated their lives to the education sector, the huge difference they are making to their pupils and the support and admiration shown by the local business community.
EAMONN HOLMES
As a local councillor, it was a privilege to attend the Milton Keynes Education Awards and witness the well-deserved recognition showered upon our remarkable education sector. These educators play an integral part in shaping the lives of our young people, and it was great to see them honoured and celebrated for their unwavering commitment, passion and the pivotal role they play in our community every single day. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the event organisers All Things Business for taking the initiative and orchestrating such a wonderful celebration of our educators. Their hard work and dedication deserve recognition as well, for it is through their efforts that we come together to appreciate and honour the unsung heroes who shape the future of Milton Keynes.
COUNCILLOR FOR MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL – SHAZNA MUZAMMIL
Great evening, thank you!
I thought that it was a really balanced evening, with sufficient time to mingle at the start, dinner was not rushed and the awards didn't drag, so all in all a really well run event.
Thank you to all those who made the evening possible, it was amazing.

Previous Hosts

EAMONN HOLMES
2023

Award Categories

Maths Team/Teacher of the Year – Xero
For this award we are looking for individuals or teams who have created a sense of enthusiasm about the study of Maths – among students and also among colleagues – while also delivering excellent results.
English Team/Teacher of the Year – Sign In App
For this award we are looking for individuals or teams who have created a sense of enthusiasm about the study of English – among students and also among colleagues – while also delivering excellent results.
Sports Award – MK Preparatory School
The winner of this award will be an individual or a team that brings passion and enthusiasm to sport and games, either in school time or extra-curricular. We are looking for someone who inspires students to engage in sport and lead active lives, and who is inspiring positive change in the school community and beyond.
IT Champion – Aiimi
For this award we are looking for someone who has not only embraced technology within the education setting, but who has found ways to inspire others to recognise and take advantage of the possibilities IT opens up. The award will go to someone who has been creative and innovative and made the most of the opportunities to introduce technology that delivers increased efficiency or that leads to improved educational outcomes.
Environmental and Sustainability Award – Apertus Group
For this award we are looking to recognise an individual or a team that is on a mission to save the planet, someone who is engaging students and members of school staff in their mission and who is inspiring positive change in the school community and beyond.
SEND School of the Year – Creating Tomorrow College
For this award we are looking for a school whose staff and children are at the heart of everything they do. A school that works as a team to help SEND children to achieve their full potential. A school whose staff are caring, knowledgeable, dedicated and passionate about supporting children with special needs. Please provide evidence to support the entry, this can be inspection reports, parent testimonials, data analysis or anything else you feel would be relevant.
STEM Award – SMC Corporation (UK) Ltd
For this award we are looking for a team or individual who helps children and young people develop STEM skills and applies these across the curriculum, innovates and engages the whole educational establishment, with measured successes and outcomes and is a shining example of excellent teaching of STEM.
Unsung Hero – GIANT
This award recognises those individuals that make all the difference to the running of a school or college but whose efforts may seem to go unnoticed. The nominee could be a teacher, teaching assistant, caretaker or administrator – anyone who regularly goes above and beyond what is expected of them for the good of the organisation as a whole. The winner will be someone whose dedication and commitment have made a real difference to the day-to-day lives of everyone around them.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion – All Things Business
For this award we are looking for someone who truly believes in equality, diversity and inclusion within the education sector. This person will have found ways to ensure a fair school or college experience for everyone, and will have inspired others to think more about what can be done to make people feel included. The award will go to someone who has shown a commitment to driving improvements in all aspects of life within their school or college.
School Business Manager of the Year – Neves
For this award, we are looking for someone who has radically reinvented the perception of the traditional school business manager within not just their own setting but across the community, and who embodies professionalism. They will also have shown an exceptional ability for delivering excellent resource management across the own school, ensuring financial viability whilst still improving pupil outcomes.
Headteacher of the Year – Tick Education
For this award we are looking for a successful and truly inspirational headteacher. In your submission please detail all the elements that make them a fantastic leader, including staff development and wellbeing, academic and other achievements, and community engagement.
Primary School of the Year – Kip McGrath
This award will go to a primary school that has had an exceptional performance in the previous 12 months, or one that has experienced rapid improvement or maintained continued excellence over a longer period. The judges want to see more than academic achievement and are looking for entries that demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop children in ways that go beyond the league tables. Please provide evidence to support the entry, this can be inspection reports, parent testimonials, data analysis or anything else you feel would be relevant.
Secondary School of the Year – SH Pratt Group
This award will go to a secondary school that has had an exceptional performance in the previous 12 months, or one that has experienced rapid improvement or maintained continued excellence over a longer period. The judges want to see more than academic achievement and are looking for entries that demonstrate innovation, imagination and efforts to develop students in ways that go beyond league tables. Please provide evidence to support the entry, this can be inspection reports, parent testimonials, data analysis or anything else you feel would be relevant.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Queensbury Consulting
This award will honour an outstanding leader in education, someone who has dedicated their life to the enhancement of an institution/organisation and advancing the field of education. They will have demonstrated innovation, advocacy and career achievements that have improved the education sector. The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to an individual whose long-term efforts, dedication, and sustained commitment has made a difference to their school or college and the students.

The Independent Judges

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Dr. Julie Mills – OBE DL

Julie is an accomplished educator with a career spanning 35 years. She holds a Doctorate from the Open University, focusing on Prison Education. Julie’s journey in education began as a part-time teacher in adult education and eventually led her to become the Chief Executive of the Milton Keynes College Group. She has also led the College’s Prison Education Team and successfully collaborated with prominent employers to establish The South Central Institute of Technology in Bletchley. Julie’s contributions to education were recognised with an OBE in 2019. She continues to advocate for inclusion and social mobility through her involvement with organisations like the Helena Kennedy Foundation and Women Leaders UK. Julie’s achievements were celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 and she was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire in 2023.

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Ranjit Singh

Ranjit is Philanthropy Director at MK Community Foundation and is proud to be supporting the community of Milton Keynes by engaging philanthropists, both corporate and individual, to invest in their local community. He has a broad range of experience in both the charitable and corporate sectors. Ranjit is also a co-founder of the Milton Keynes Ethnic Business Community, a network connecting, empowering and raising the profiles of ethnic minority businesses owners and professionals.

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Iain Standen – FRSA

Iain Standen became the CEO of the Bletchley Park Trust in 2012 after a successful career in the British Army. He served in various locations and held positions of command, specialising in communications and intelligence. He has a strong educational background, with degrees in Geography, Military Studies, and Military History. Iain has a deep passion for history and has been a battlefield guide for many years, leading tours in different countries. He is involved in various professional organisations and serves as a Director of Destination Milton Keynes. Under his leadership, Bletchley Park has undergone significant restoration and has become a popular destination, attracting over 250,000 visitors annually. The Trust has also developed an acclaimed learning programme, accommodating around 35,000 students each year, with plans to increase this number to 50,000 in the near future.

See the Judging Process CLICK HERE