Celebrating together was always the aim of the Milton Keynes Education Awards, and David Killick embodied that approach as he enjoyed two wins in a row – one for himself as Headteacher of the Year, and then in the company of his school, Holne Chase Primary School, which was named Primary School of the Year.
The biggest haul on the night went to Denbigh School, named Secondary School of the Year as well as seeing Daniel Bennett take the IT Champion of the Year trophy and the Maths Faculty being named Maths Team/Teacher of the Year.
Dancer, choreographer and TV personality Louie Spence hosted the awards at Stadium MK, home of Milton Keynes Dons. Finalists, their friends, family and guests joined the sponsors, including headline sponsors Facilities Management Solutions and Brioche Pasquier, and the organisers All Things Business to celebrate the best in the Milton Keynes education sector.
Louie admitted to guests that he had turned to private education later in life to fill in the gaps that were left from his pathway through drama school and a lack of focus on academic achievement.
He said:
“Private tutors helped me get the skills I didn’t get at stage school, but then realised the importance of just to get me through life. It changed my life and I think they are amazing, and I think you are all amazing, what you do to change children’s lives through giving them a good education.”
It was the second Milton Keynes Education Awards, an event that was founded in 2023 to recognise the excellence, hard work and dedication of those who work within and with the schools and colleges in and around the city.
In his message to the audience, Ben Thomas, Managing Director of All Things Business, said:
“Hosting the 2020 Northamptonshire Education Awards, in early 2021 and online as it turned out, due to the pandemic, we saw more clearly than ever how underappreciated those in the education sector are. It took global chaos, lockdowns and home schooling for us all to see just how brilliant our schools and teachers are and what they do for our young people. The children in our schools are the workforce of the future and they need to learn from the very best in order to make their mark in life.
“And so, last year, it was time to extend that to pay tribute to all those working in Milton Keynes, too.”
Dan Cole from Facilities Management Solutions spoke about the firm’s close ties with the community. He said:
“We are a local company, we live here and our children go to school here, and we employ people from this community, and that’s why we know how important it is that we support the education sector.”
Ryan Peters from Brioche Pasquier added:
“The whole ethos of Brioche Pasquier is to be a part of the local community of any of our sites, wherever they are in the world. We have grown in our UK base in Milton Keynes because of the educators, they’ve given us the people we need, who then go on their own journey with us. We want children to enjoy the education they are getting and want support all our local schools in what they are trying to do.”
The awards recognise a wide range of education achievement, from subject categories such as English Team/Teacher of the Year and the STEM Awards, as well as the likes of IT Champion and Environmental and Sustainability Award. Individuals who have gone above and beyond what is expected in their work in education are recognised in the School Business Manager of the Year Award and Unsung Hero, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Amanda Brown from Romans Field School was named as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, with the judges remarking on how she has dedicated her life to the enhancement of education. In their comment they said ‘her long-term efforts have made a real difference to students, colleagues and the wider community. This winner goes above and beyond their normal duties for the wellbeing and safety of students, families and staff.’
After collecting her award, Amanda said:
“The staff at Romans Field come into school every day and don’t stop from the moment they arrive to the moment they go home. Our children are unique and they need that belief that they can follow their dreams and achieve what they want to achieve. And when they come back to see us and say they listened, and they did follow their dreams, and they did achieve what they wanted to achieve, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
The full results of the Milton Keynes Education Awards 2024:
Maths Team/Teacher of the Year
Sponsored by Xero
Maths Faculty – Denbigh School
English Team/Teacher of the Year
Sponsored by Sign In App
Susan Marshall – White Spire School
Sports Award
Sponsored by Milton Keynes Preparatory School
Dave Dowse – Brooksward Primary School
IT Champion
Sponsored by Aimii
Daniel Bennett – Denbigh School
Environmental and Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Apertus Group
Outdoor Learning Team – The Parks Trust
SEND School of the Year
Sponsored by Creating Tomorrow College
Slated Row School
STEM Award
Sponsored by SMC Corporation (UK) Ltd
Janelle Harrier Wilson – The Hazeley Academy
Unsung Hero
Sponsored by GIANT
Gayle Jones – Shenley Brook End School
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion
Sponsored by All Things Business
Stuart Adamson & Team – Ousedale School
School Business Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Neves Solicitors
Jade Carter – Cedars Primary School
Headteacher of the Year
Sponsored by Tick Education
David Killick – Holne Chase Primary School
Primary School of the Year
Sponsored by Kip McGrath Education Centres
Holne Chase Primary School
Secondary School of the Year
Sponsored by SH Pratt Group
Denbigh School
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by Queensbury Consulting
Amanda Brown – Romans Field School
