THE Educate Awards has released its 2025 shortlist, with Merseyside schools featuring heavily.

The shortlisted schools and multi academy trust will discover if they are winners on Friday, 14 November, at the ceremony, hosted at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

Now in its fourteenth year, the Educate Awards features 21 categories, shining a spotlight on every aspect of education, from sport and the arts to literacy, careers, and the environment.

The shortlist celebrates inspirational teachers, dedicated support staff and visionary leadership teams, who continue to make a lasting difference in their school communities.

Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to the Liverpool schools and multi academy trust on being shortlisted for this year’s Educate Awards.

“Each year, we are blown away by the incredible work taking place across the region, and 2025 has been no exception. This year’s shortlist is a true reflection of the innovation and dedication shown by senior leadership teams, teachers and support staff.”

The 2025 shortlist:

Most Impactful Communications Award, sponsored by CPMM Media Group
Maghull High School, Sefton
St Edward’s College, Liverpool
St John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool

Outstanding Commitment to the Environment & Sustainability
Hope Academy, St Helens
Prospect House Specialist Support Primary School, Manchester
The Academy of St Nicholas, Liverpool

Careers & Enterprise Award, sponsored by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub
Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral
Kew Woods Primary School, Sefton
St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy, Liverpool
Wirral Grammar School for Boys, Wirral

Outstanding SEND Provision in Mainstream School, sponsored by SENDSCOPE
Marton Primary Academy & Nursery, Blackpool
Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School
Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool

School Library of the Year
Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School, Sefton
St Hilda’s CE High School, Liverpool
St Mary’s Catholic Junior Academy, St Helens

 Outstanding Commitment to STEM, sponsored by All About STEM
The Mosslands School, Wirral
Whitefield Primary School, Liverpool
Wright Robinson College, Manchester

Outstanding Arts in Primary School
Banks Road Primary School, Liverpool
Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School, Sefton
St Peter’s CE Primary School, Bolton

Outstanding Arts in Secondary School
Meols Cop High School, Sefton
Ormskirk School, West Lancashire
St John Bosco Arts College, Liverpool
West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral

Lord Frank Field Community Partnership Award
Accrington St Christopher’s CE High School, Accrington
Burnley High School, Burnley
Maghull High School, Sefton
Tottington High School, Bury

 Mental Health & Wellbeing Award
Chantlers Primary School, Bury
Locking Stumps Community Primary School, Warrington
Standish Community High School, Wigan

Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School, sponsored by LSSP
Cherry Tree Primary School, Bolton
Netherton Moss Primary School, Sefton
Rowan Tree Primary School, Wigan
Rushbrook Primary Academy, Manchester

Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School
Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale
Maghull High School, Sefton
St James’ Catholic High School, Stockport

Leadership Team of the Year
Archbishop Blanch School, Liverpool
Ascent Autism Specialist College, St Helens
Chantlers Primary School, Bury
Churchtown Primary School, Sefton

Teacher of the Year, sponsored by CER
Christina McArdle from St Damian’s RC Science College, Tameside
Corie Higgins from Stockport Academy, Stockport
Sam Harvey from Rainford High, St Helens
Stuart Hide from Runshaw College, Leyland

School Support Star of the Year, sponsored by SupplyWell
Karen Elcombe from Our Lady of Compassion RC Primary School, Sefton
Karla Taylor from SEE (Oldham) CIC, Oldham
Kellie Tisdale from The Birkenhead Park School, Wirral
Sam Cookson from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Sefton

Most Inspirational Multi Academy Trust, sponsored by Satis Education
BePART Educational Trust, Wirral
Endeavour Learning Trust, Lancashire
The People’s Learning Trust, Liverpool

 Most Inspirational Specialist School
Abbot’s Lea School, Liverpool
Knowsley Central Primary School, Knowsley
SEE (Oldham) CIC, Oldham
The Pendlebury Centre, Stockport

Most Inspirational Sixth Form & College, sponsored by LJMU
Ascent Autism Specialist College, St Helens
Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral
Winstanley College, Wigan

Most Inspirational Secondary School
Burnage Academy for Boys, Manchester
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School, Liverpool
St Edward’s College, Liverpool

Most Inspirational Primary School, sponsored by Angel Solutions
Churchtown Primary School, Sefton
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School, Sefton
St Peter’s CE Primary School, Bolton

WOW Recognition Award, sponsored by ASL Group
Green Fold School, Bolton
Hillside High School, Sefton
The Hollins, Accrington