With entries closed, the finalists in the inaugural Milton Keynes Education Awards (MKEAs) are eagerly awaiting the verdicts of the judges, which will be announced at a glittering ceremony in September.
Among those listed in the 11 categories up for grabs are Glebe Farm School, which only opened its doors last year but has been shortlisted for five awards including Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year and the Headteacher of the Year award.
Lord Grey Academy is a finalist in four categories, while Gill Cash from Priory Common School is shortlisted in the Headteacher of the Year category and for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The children at Oakgrove School will be buzzing to find out of the Oakgrove Bee Club will triumph in the Environmental and Sustainability Award, and the children in Years 5 and 6 at New Bradwell School who run games and activities for their fellow pupils each lunchtime are in line for the Sports Award.
The MKEAs were launched earlier this year by All Things Business with specialist IT services provider for the education sector, EasiPC, as headline sponsor. As well as the 11 categories, one school will be chosen by the judges as the Overall School of the Year award.
The results of the judges’ deliberations will be announced at the awards ceremony, which will be hosted by TV presenter Eamonn Holmes at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Milton Keynes on Friday, September 22.
Ben Thomas, Managing Director of All Things Business, said: “We launched the Milton Keynes Education Awards because we know there are so many amazing things going on in the city in this par- ticular sector and we wanted to celebrate that.
“Considering this is the first year of the awards, we have been blown away by the response and we thank everyone who’s taken time to enter, and want to congratulate those who have been chosen as finalists and wish them every success on the night.”
In conjunction with The Chester House Estate in Northamptonshire, schools taking part in the awards will have the chance to win a free outreach visit valued at approximately £350, and all those that enter will receive a 20% discount on either an outreach or on-site visit. Ben Thomas added: “As a company, our motto is Education Needs Business and Business Needs Education and we are proud to bring the two together and promote the vital links that help forge the workforce of tomorrow.
“We are looking forward to a brilliant evening in September when we get to celebrate the fantastic achievements of Milton Keynes’ education sector.”
Tickets are on sale for the event on September 22, to find out more email awards@allthingsbusiness.co.uk or visit www.allthingsbusiness.co.uk/awards/mkea-2023
