Winners revealed at the 2023 Education Business Awards
The winners of the 2023 Education Business Awards sponsored by Viking, have been revealed at a glittering luncheon ceremony on 14th June at the Royal Leonardo Hotel in St Paul's, London.
Presented by four time Olympian Donna Fraser OBE, the Education Business Awards recognise the vital and inspirational work of the education sector as it shapes our future generations.
Schools and colleges continue to operate during difficult times. While still feeling the effects of the pandemic, schools forge ahead despite the unrest caused by teacher strikes, funding issues, workload, teacher shortages, and the cost of living crisis. The Education Business Awards continues to seek out the unsung heroes and celebrate their incredible achievements in all aspects of school life.
For the first time in 2023, the awards recognised the individual leaders paving the way in the primary and secondary sectors through the EB Leadership Award, as well as innovative educational resources that can support teaching and help to enhance pupil engagement through the Education Resource Award.
Having represented Great Britain at four successive Olympic Games, Donna was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to equality, inclusion and diversity in the workplace. In 2022, she was named World Athletics' Woman of the Year.
Award sponsors include Nasen (SEN Provision Award), Ricoh (ICT Innovation Award), Swiftclean (Outstanding Progress - Secondary), Urbis Schreder (Environmental Practice), Holmes & Partners (Community Award), Action Mats (Outstanding Progress - Primary) and the Bett show (ICT Facility Award).
Supported by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) and the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), the Awards has recognised achievements in thousands of state and independent schools since 2009.
Donna is now an international speaker, strategist and charity ambassador, and dedicates much of her time to working in the charity sector to inspire and embed inclusive and diverse cultures.
Shortlisted organisations will enjoy a champagne drinks reception sponsored by Konica Minolta, followed by a four course lunch prior to the winners and commended schools being announced by Donna.
This year, the Awards introduces new categories including the EB Leadership Award, which will recognise inspirational school leaders in Primary and Secondary settings, while the Educational Resource Award looks at innovative educational products and services which support teaching and increase pupil engagement. Also new this year, the School Business Manager Award is presented to an individual whose business leadership skills and commercial outlook have had a positive impact on the school’s budgeting and strategic decision making.
Award sponsors include Nasen (SEN Provision Award), Ricoh (ICT Innovation Award), Swiftclean (Outstanding Progress - Secondary), Urbis Schreder (Environmental Practice), Holmes & Partners (Community Award), Action Mats (Outstanding Progress - Primary) and the Hyve Group (ICT Facility Award).
Supported by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) and the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), the Awards has recognised achievements in thousands of state and independent schools since 2009.
Testimonials
"It was such a privilege and an honour to have won at the Education and Business awards. What a fabulous and fun event! A seriously great day. Engaging toastmaster, fantastic inspiring speeches especially from Angellica Bell. It is such a great feeling for our school to have been nationally recognised at these awards, and our pupils are delighted that they attend an award-winning school! I was absolutely thrilled to receive the Sports Award, from rugby league legend Jamie Peacock and am incredibly proud of the physical education and sporting opportunities afforded to our pupils. We try to engender a love of PE and sport and encourage our pupils to maintain a healthy lifestyle."
James Watson, Fairholme Primary School
"The Education Business Awards provide a much needed platform to showcase the fantastic job our teachers do in the UK. It's great to see so many hardworking people rewarded for their efforts. We at BESA always look forward to attending the awards especially to meet with inspirational teachers and to catch up with our members.”
Caroline Wright, BESA
"This is our second year at the First Class Education Business Awards. A big congratulations on all the amazing achievements throughout the schools. We had some brilliant conversations across the Education sector which has given us opportunities to work with quality prospects that we wouldn’t have reached through our other marketing channels. Really looking forward to next year."
Karen Flashman, Alan Patient & Co
“This is our fourth time attending the Education Business Awards and sponsoring the School Recruitment Award; every year the show gets better and better. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to build on relationships in a fun, relaxed setting as well as be part of recognising the achievements of our schools.”
Nicola Pearce, Head of Sales, eTeach
"We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Art and Craft Award at the Education Business Awards. The entry I provided for King’s Art department covered the external exhibitions at Olympia, Alexandra Palace, ExCeL, the Apex Gallery, Babylon Gallery and Ely Cathedral. It also reinforced the importance of these events and how they contribute to UCAS statements and future employment alongside competition success. This is an opportunity to celebrate the high quality work produced and we are very proud of this achievement."
Alison Rhodes, Director of Art, King Ely School
It was a privilege to be shortlisted for the Environmental Practice category of the Education Business Awards 2018. The venue and the ceremony were first class at the Grange Hotel in St Pauls, in London. The organisation for the awards was first rate; nothing is too much trouble for the helpful staff. The award itself recognises the hard work of schools on a national stage. It provides an excellent opportunity to network with other schools and providers. It has been lovely recognition for our school.
Sharon Pascoe, Head of Fochriw Primary School
We were thrilled to attend the '5 star' ceremony. Huge congratulations to our teachers, our business manager, support staff and our hardworking and dedicated Governors. It was heartening to receive two awards for our operational excellence and strong leadership.
Joanna Stratton, Headteacher, Hever Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
"The Education Business Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to endorse effective practice in the education sector. From a variety of education settings to established and growing companies, the event helps to not only benchmark class-leading provision, but assists the sector to consider best value products and good examples of impact in the classroom and beyond. A well-organised event, great for networking, I came away with some very useful new contacts. I am looking forward to next year!"
Dave Smith, Chair of the Board of Management of Naace - The Education Technology Association
“The Education Business Awards showcase the unsung heroes of the education sector. While teachers don’t get nearly as much praise as they deserve, those responsible for overseeing the essential aspects of running a school such as recruiting staff, catering, security and procurement most certainly don’t. These awards are a important contribution towards changing that, and should be marked as an important date in the educational calendar.”
Patrick Hayes, Director, BESA
Fantastic venue, good food, great master of ceremonies and no long speeches. A welcome boost for anyone in the industry that is working hard to improve on what they do…
Richard Whiting, Ballard School
