Sefton Schools shortlisted for prestigious education awards
Photos by Liam Deveney...

SCHOOLS within Sefton are celebrating after being named on the shortlist for the Educate Awards 2017. The awards, in partnership with Copyright Systems and Ricoh, is now in its 6th year and is the biggest celebration of education in the North West. Held at Liverpool Cathedral, it is the 1 night of the year where the excellence of Schools, within the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and Lancashire is celebrated and rewarded in a unique fashion, bringing together inspiring leaders and support staff to showcase the brilliance within the region's education sector. Hundreds of entries were sent in across the 21 award categories, breaking previous records. Categories include the WOW Recognition Award, Outstanding Sport and Teacher of the Year. 

Formby High School, St Oswald's CE Primary School, St Michael's CofE High School, Netherton Moss Primary School and Bedford Primary have all been shortlisted for this year's awards.  Formby High School is in the running for 2 awards, Most Inspirational Secondary School and the Communication Award.

The School's communication team has developed a strategy over the recent years to provide engaging and timely information to parents, students, staff, governors and the wider community. A parents' handbook, numerous Twitter feeds, YouTube channel and blogs all showcase 'Team Formby High's' innovation with communication.

Formby High is also shortlisted for the coveted Most Inspirational Secondary School Award, thanks to its impressive academic performance; extra curricular lessons; fundraising initiatives and experiences students can take part in. In the words of the School:- "Whether it is the students, the staff, the parents or our community partners, Formby High School is home to a diverse family of people, who possess a shared vision to create a unique, world class learning environment to nurture and showcase everyone!"

St Oswald's CE Primary School in Netherton is shortlisted for the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School Award. The School hosts a wide range of sports initiatives for its entire School community, including International Sports Week, sponsored walks and athletics day.

Judges' loved the School's transition programme:- 'Sporties.' Reception children and their parents or carers are invited to a 4 week programme which encourages parents and children to get to know each other and the School.

St Michael's CofE High School's Eco Alliance is up for the Eco School Project of the Year Award. The Crosby School has a thriving, dedicated eco group made up of students, staff, parents, grandparents and representatives from local churches.

The group's achievements include the creation of St Michael's Mere, its very own woodland walk; maintaining its School farm and the soon to open roof top terrace for students with ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition). St Michael's has also supported campaigns such as RSPB School Bird Watch and National Waste Week.

Netherton Moss Primary School is shortlisted for the Outstanding Teaching of Life Skills Award for its focus on teaching children how to cook. The project explored many areas of cooking, including the financial and economical skills related to food, the growing of vegetables in their own School allotment and hosting food events for the local community. Central to Netherton's work is its cooking space, christened 'Moss Munch' by the children.

Bedford Primary in Bootle is in the running for the Outstanding Arts in Primary School Award. It's 'Layered Cake of Creativity' project has proved to be a recipe for success, with students coming together to design, create and perform a show-stopping Finale Show. Bedford's Academy of Arts was established in 2016 with the objective of bringing a variety of creative and arts-based clubs to the School. Nearly 200 children are now involved with everything from set design, filming, costumes to music.

Commenting on the shortlist, Kim O'Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, says:- "We are delighted to finally reveal the shortlisted Schools ahead of the awards ceremony in November. This year's shortlist includes Schools and colleges of all sizes, from all across the region. So many congratulations to all those shortlisted, it was a very tough job for our judging panel! It is so important to celebrate and shine a spotlight on the region's inspirational teachers, support staff and School communities, who do such a fantastic job day in, day out. Well done and good luck to all the shortlisted Schools in Sefton."

Tom Doyle, managing director of Copyrite Systems, says:- "Once again the Educate Awards shortlist highlights the real passion, energy and determination of North West Schools and their staff. As the main sponsor, I would like to congratulate each and every School and wish them the best of luck.  So many different sides of School life are celebrated at the Educate Awards, so it is our pleasure to continue our support of the awards and help celebrate the region's unsung classroom heroes."       ...continued...