A Knowsley primary school has been honoured at the Educate Awards after being crowned winner of the Community Partnership Award.
St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School was presented with the prestigious on Friday, 17 November.
The Community Partnership Award recognises the schools and colleges that have developed close community partnership links and can evidence specific community-led projects.
In August 2022, St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School pupil, Olivia Pratt-Korbel, tragically lost her life. Since then, the school has spearheaded several community-led projects to honour her life and ensure it is an enduring force for good.
The school spearheaded a memorial garden, a place where Olivia’s family and friends can remember her. The incredible garden features a stage, drum seats and a rainbow bench. In addition, St Margaret Mary’s has introduced the ‘Pink Day’ festival, which is another way for the school to honour Olivia’s life.
Now in its twelfth year, the Educate Awards showcases the hard work and creativity in the education sector, from STEM and performing arts to sports and literacy.
The awards also recognise the individuals who bring schools and colleges to life, from inspiring teachers and dedicated support staff to strategic leadership teams.
In partnership with ASL and Ricoh, the Educate Awards took place at the Liverpool Cathedral and welcomed over 700 guests. The evening was hosted by broadcaster Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross.
Alongside the awards ceremony was a delicious three-course gala dinner and glittering entertainment from the region’s schools. Providing a soundtrack to the reception was Gateacre School student, Aiden Ellis. Opening the big event was Rainford High, which delivered a stellar performance of ‘Be Our Guest’ from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, followed by a dance and poetry performance from The Hollins in Accrington. The final performance of the night came from up-and-coming indie band, The Height, from Manchester.
Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School on its win at this year’s Educate Awards!
“A big well done to the runners-up and finalists too. Results this year were incredibly close, and judges had a difficult time deciding not only the shortlist but also overall the winners.”
Kim added: “The Educate Awards team is proud to champion the innovation, diversity and dedication that is taking place in educational establishments around the region. Entries will open again in February 2024, and we encourage all types of schools and colleges to submit as many entries as they like, for free.”
Associate sponsors of the Educate Awards 2023 include: All About STEM, Angel Solutions, CER, CPMM Media Group, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub, Liverpool John Moores University, LSSP, SENDSCOPE, and SupplyWell.
The Educate Awards 2023 winners and runners-up:
1. The Communication Award
Winner: Manchester Academy, Manchester
Runner up: Maricourt Catholic High School, Sefton
2. Outstanding Commitment to the Environment
Winner: Heswall Primary School, Wirral
Runner up: Wright Robinson College, Manchester
3. Careers & Enterprise Award
Winner: Hope Academy, St Helens
Runner up: Ridgeway High School, Wirral
4. SEND Provision Award
Winner: Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool
Joint runner up: Green Fold School, Bolton and Maple Grove School, Cheshire
5. Innovative & Creative Literacy Award
Winner: Hillside High School, Sefton
Runner up: Gateacre School, Liverpool
6. Outstanding Commitment to STEM
Winner: Neston High School, Cheshire
Runner up: Great Crosby Catholic Primary School, Sefton
7. Outstanding Arts in a Primary School
Winner: Kew Woods Primary School, Sefton
Runner up: Netherton Moss Primary School, Sefton
8. Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School
Winner: The Hollins, Lancashire
Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens
9. Community Partnership Award
Winner: St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School, Knowsley
Runner up: Maricourt Catholic High School, Sefton
10. Mental Health & Wellbeing Award
Winner: Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool
Runner up: St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
11. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School
Winner: St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wallasey, Wirral
Runner up: St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
12. Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School
Winner: Cowley International College, St Helens
Runner up: St Peter’s Catholic High School, Wigan
13. Leadership Team of the Year
Winner: Green Fold School, Bolton
Runner up: Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale
14. Teacher of the Year
Winner: Stephen Hill, St Joseph’s Primary School, Oldham
Runner up: Catherine Chapman, Gateacre School, Liverpool
15. School Support Star of the Year
Winner: Philip McGowan, Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School, Sefton
Runner up: Jeanette Horrocks, Green Fold School, Bolton
16. Most Inspirational Alternative Provision
Winner: Employability Solutions Ltd, Liverpool
Runner up: Sandbach School, Cheshire
17. Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College
Winner: Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral
Runner up: St John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool
18. Most Inspirational Secondary School
Winner: Gateacre School, Liverpool
Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens
19. Most Inspirational Primary School
Winner: Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool
Runner up: St Peter’s CE Primary School, Bolton
20. WOW Recognition Award
Winner: Beech Hall School, Cheshire
Runner up: Wade Deacon High School, Cheshire