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We all want the best for our kids. We want them to eat the best food and live in the best house, and we definitely want them to go to the best school.
But alas, only a lucky few schools can actually be the best, and that’s where the TES awards come in. Every year, TES holds a prestigious awards ceremony to recognise the best of the best in primary and secondary education across the UK.
TES crowns winners in more than 20 categories, including the big ones which are primary and secondary school of the year. So where exactly should you be moving to in order to get your kids a gold standard education?
If you’ve got little ones, then London is your destination. St Stephen’s CE Primary School was named ‘primary school of the year’ thanks to its ‘rich, relevant, broad and balanced curriculum which contributes to the outstanding learning and achievement of their pupils.’
It’s also got a great backstory – after being placed on special measures in 2000 it managed to turn itself around and by 2011 it was Ofsted rated excellent. And now, St Stephen’s is award winning.
‘Secondary school of the year’ went to the Burnage Academy for Boys in Manchester, which was recognised for its ‘holistic approach to students' mental health and a commitment to supporting the local community.’ It also turned around a negative Ofsted rating from 2016, and does good work supporting disadvantaged boys from the local area.
TES split up their awards between state and independent institutions, and the award for best indie senior school went to Solihull School, which has ‘driven success in almost every area they’ve focused on’. Pretty impressive stuff.
Other big awards were ‘headteacher of the year’, which went to Dr Joe Spence of Dulwich College in the independent category, with Lynn Williams, from St Peter’s Farnworth, taking home the trophy in for the state-funded counterparts.
Full list of UK schools that won at the TES School Awards 2024
- Teaching Assistant of the Year: Jackie Rawson, The Nicholas Harmond Academy, East
- Boarding School of the Year: Haileybury, East
- Staff Wellbeing School of the Year: Crown Hills Community College, East Midlands
- Trust team of the year (10 schools and more): E-ACT England
- Lifetime Achievement Award: John Morris OBE, Ardleigh Green Junior School, London
- Subject Lead of the Year (Secondary): Neetu Sadhwani, Avanti House Secondary School, London
- Headteacher of the Year (Independent): Dr Joe Spence, Dulwich College, London
- Trust team of the year (9 schools and less): London South East Academies Trust London
- Primary School of the Year: St Stephen’s CE Primary School, London
- Independent Prep School of the Year : Yarm Preparatory School, North East
- Specialist Provision School Leader of the Year: Robert Bell, Consilium Evolve, North East
- Headteacher of the Year (State): Lynn Williams, St Peter’s Farnworth, North West
- Secondary School of the Year: Burnage Academy for Boys, North West
- Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year: Fairview Primary School, Northern Ireland
- Excellence in Creative Arts: St Mungo’s High School, Scotland
- Inclusive School of the Year: Our Lady & St Patrick’s High School, Scotland
- Best Use of Technology: Cantell School, South East
- Specialist Provision School of the Year: Aurora Hanley School, West Midlands
- Independent Senior School of the Year: Solihull School, West Midlands
- The Tim Brighouse Community Engagement Initiative of the Year: Bradford Citizens, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Primary Curriculum Leader of the Year: Darren Eales, Broughton Primary, Yorkshire and the Humber
- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Setting of the Year: Carlton Mills Primary School, Yorkshire and the Humber
Congratulations to all the winners. You can read about all the winners on TES’s website here to discover exactly why each school and teacher won their award, or to suss out which catchment area you’ll be investing in this year. Find out more about the London winners on Time Out here.
If your school didn’t win big, don’t feel too bad. Maybe it was nominated back in May – have a look at the full list of nominees here.
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