Events > Education sector gets a warm reception at glittering awards night

Education sector gets a warm reception at glittering awards night

The heat was on for the finalists at the Milton Keynes Education Awards 2025 as they gathered for this year’s awards ceremony, at the Leonardo Hotel, on one of the hottest evenings of the year.

Hosted by Matthew Burton, from the Channel 4 series Educating Yorkshire, which was set in the school where he is, today, headteacher, the awards saw winners recognised in 14 categories, including Headteacher of the Year, IT Champion and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion.

Three of the awards went to Brooksward School, which took home the Primary School of the Year and the STEM Award, and saw Duncan Macdonald named IT Champion. E-Act Ousedale School won the Overall School of the Year Award and, earlier in the evening, saw Claire Tierney named Unsung Hero; White Spire School won the SEND Team/School of the Year and, to a standing ovation, its headteacher, Finlay Douglas, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Joining the educators for the awards ceremony were guests from businesses and the wider community, including local MP Emily Darlington, Chief Superintendent Emma Bailey and the Mayor of Milton Keynes James Lancaster. The judging panel of Debbie Dymock, Susan Popoola, Shammi Rahman and Ian Pryce CBE were also there to see the winners crowned.

Ben Thomas, Managing Director of the awards organisers, All Things Business, said: “Starting children off in life with a good education is what most of you here tonight excel in. And we’re eternally grateful to you for that, because when you get a good start in education, you never lose the desire to learn.

“We say time and time again that Education needs Business, Business needs Education and we say it because it’s true. I want to say thank you to all those who have supported us in creating this event and helping us recognise the hard work that goes on in the education sector in Milton Keynes.

“To Brioche Pasquier, our headline sponsor once again this year, and all the category sponsors – all of them showing their commitment to today’s learners and the part they are one day going to play in the local community and economy as the workers of tomorrow.”

Ryan Peters from Brioche Pasquier spoke about the work his company does not only in supporting charities and sponsoring events, but in reaching out to schools to invite them into the Milton Keynes production facility to find out more about the world of baking.

“Local engagement is a fundamental aspect of Brioche Pasquier and we welcome children of all ages, from the youngest, who get to have a go at doing some baking and tasting some of the products, right through to those who are thinking about their futures, and telling them what’s involved in being the bakers, engineers and sales teams that we need to make and sell our products.

“Education is vitally important to the community and we are delighted to be here tonight to celebrate with the city’s educators.”

Finlay Douglas - White Spire School

Lewis Kaye and the Maths Team from Lord Grey Academy were the evening’s first winners, picking up the Maths Team/Teacher of the Year Award.

Lewis said: “Firstly, well done to all the other finalists because teaching maths is a challenging job but it is also one of the most rewarding things. This team are unwavering in their commitment to getting the very best outcomes for students.”

Claire Tierney, from E-Act Ousedale School, said: “I really am a firm believer that children teach us as much as we teach them, and when I started I really didn’t know a lot, and they have shown me so much more than I could have imagined.”

Collecting the Primary School of the Year award for Brooksward Primary School, Executive Headteacher Jen Swain said: “This school is the epitome of the saying that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. The staff, the parents and the children always come through together when things get tough and that’s what makes the school what it is.”

Finlay Douglas, from White Spire School, who collected both the SEND Team/School of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award, said: “It’s been an absolute delight to work with these guys for 11 years. Their standards are incredible and I’m standing here but it’s on behalf of all the staff, pupils and parents, who are all great, and I’m honoured to be here to collect this award for them.”

Brooksward Primary School - MKEA2025

The full results of the Milton Keynes Education Awards 2024:

Maths Team/Teacher of the Year

Sponsored by Brioche Pasquier

Lewis Kaye & The Maths Team – Lord Grey Academy

English Team/Teacher of the Year

Sponsored by MK Business Leaders Partnership

English Faculty – Denbigh School

Sports Award

Sponsored by MK Breakers Community Foundation

Jake Saville – Two Mile Ash School

IT Champion

Sponsored by All Things Business – The Podcast

Duncan Macdonald – Brooksward School

Environmental and Sustainability Award

Sponsored by Apertus Group

Denbigh School

SEND Team/School of the Year

Sponsored by Proactive Young People CIC

White Spire School

STEM Award

Sponsored by Educate Me AI

STEAM Team at Brooksward School

Unsung Hero

Sponsored by Aegis Support Services

Claire Tierney – E-Act Ousedale School

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

Sponsored by GIANT

Emily Garratt – Brooklands Farm Primary School

Headteacher of the Year

Sponsored by FormFive

Zoe Baines – Slated Row School

Primary School of the Year

Sponsored by Harry’s Rainbow

Brooksward School

Secondary School of the Year

Sponsored by SHP Group

Sir Herbert Leon Academy

Overall School of the Year

Sponsored by Safety Centre

E-Act Ousedale School

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by All Things Business

Finlay Douglas – White Spire School