Categories

Here are this year’s categories. Click on “more info” for each criteria. For more information on how to enter, please click here.

2024 Categories

Creative Arts Award
Enter Now
The Creative Arts Award is open to all creative and performing talent groups or individuals from across our Universities, Colleges, and Schools. Judges will review entries from across the creative departments including: drama, music, dance, film and TV, animation, art. The judges are particularly interested in those who can demonstrate maximum pupil participation and evidence of efforts to grow the arts and leadership talents from teachers, pupils and overall institutions in the North.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Initiative Award
Enter Now
The STEM Initiative Award celebrates individuals, organisations and STEM programmes working to inspire people in science, technology, engineering, and maths. We particularly want to recognise those initiatives which make a real impact, sparking enthusiasm for STEM subjects and paving the way for careers and developments which foster our future and society via the positive application of science and learning. This may involve working in groups, linking to technology businesses, and or fostering science and associated knowledge in colleges and schools across the North.
Business Engagement, Employer Award – HE/FE Sector
Enter Now
The Award recognises higher or further education institutions that are building quality partnerships to benefit the region and its people this can be focused on students, the community, innovative teaching, the economy, and the environment. Applicants should detail how they engage with their employers and create suitable learning interventions that meet business’s workforce development needs. Judges would like to see how the institution or academic team are working with one or more businesses for commercial success, e.g. through knowledge transfer, commercial consultancy services, development of patents, collaborative use of facilities and knowledge and skills development and sharing.
Business Engagement, Employer Award – University Sector
Enter Now
This Award recognises universities that are building quality partnerships to benefit the region and its people this can be focused on students, the community, innovative teaching, the economy and the environment. Applicants should detail how they engage with their employers and create suitable learning interventions that meet business’s workforce development needs. Judges would like to see how the institution or academic team are working with one or more businesses for commercial success, e.g. through knowledge transfer, commercial consultancy services, development of patents, collaborative use of facilities and knowledge and skills development and sharing.
Apprenticeship Award
Enter Now
The UK Apprenticeship award is for the organisation and/or apprenticeship provider that can demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to developing apprenticeships and widening participation amongst education institutions in the North. Entrants must be able to detail their how apprenticeships fit into the wider strategy of their organisation and the steps in place to create a diverse team of apprentices. Judges will be looking for details of the full programme from recruitment strategies through to post placement support.
Community Engagement Award – HE/FE Sector
Enter Now
This award is to recognise higher and/or further education institutions that are playing an integral role in the development of their individuals through community led projects. Judges are seeking nominations that demonstrate performance in all areas of community engagement including, economic and social impact data, levels of student engagement, the sustainability of their programmes and the level of community support.
Community Engagement Award – University Sector
Enter Now
This award is to recognise university institutions that are playing an integral role in the development of their individuals through community led projects. Judges are seeking nominations that demonstrate performance in all areas of community engagement including, economic and social impact data, levels of student engagement, the sustainability of their programmes and the level of community support.
Student Experience Award - HE/FE Sector
Enter Now
An award to recognise a further or higher education institution who put students at the heart of their institution delivering outstanding value and exceeding expectations for those studying. This award will cover a specific area (e.g. careers services, social mobility, disability support, sports) or multiple areas to create an overarching initiative within the same institution in the North. Entrants should detail the background of their initiative or approach and its success over the 23/24 year through meeting its desired outcomes including demonstrable impact reports and data. Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation, engagement, support and an exceptional student experience within the North.
Student Experience Award – University Sector
Enter Now
An award to recognise a university institution or department who put students at the heart of their institution delivering outstanding value and exceeding expectations for those studying. This award will cover a specific area (e.g. careers services, social mobility, accommodation, disability support, sports, student’s unions) or multiple areas to create an overarching initiative within the same institution in the North. Entrants should detail the background of their initiative or approach and its success over the 23/24 year through meeting its desired outcomes including demonstrable impact reports and data. Judges will be looking for evidence of innovation, engagement, support and an exceptional student experience within the North.
Digital Education and Development Award
Enter Now
This award seeks to celebrate an outstanding example of the use of technology adapted or designed to improve the student experience or engage with the wider community in the digital age. This may involve enhancements to teaching and learning, improved efficiencies, assessment and engagement with communities and key stakeholders. Entries must be able to detail the background of their project or initiative, the technology developed or used and how this has successfully overcome challenges, increased productivity and created a wider impact.
Campaign of the Year
Enter Now
An award to celebrate an external relations campaign (excluding business and employer engagement, which are covered in other awards) delivered by a remarkable higher or further education institution, that has achieved demonstrable impact on success. Nominations could cover a specific area (e.g. student recruitment, alumni relations, marketing, fundraising, community engagement) or multiple areas within the same institution in the North of the United Kingdom. Judges are looking for are looking for entries to detail a clear account of the campaign’s execution and implementation, as well as evidence that the campaign achieved its desired outcomes during 2023 – 2024. You must include a full evaluation of the campaign’s results and success to include impact, reach and coverage.
Innovation Award
Enter Now
An award to recognise a further or higher education institution (or a specific team) that is demonstrating innovation in the sector. Judges will be looking for examples of original and creative initiatives which have enhanced the performance and/or reputation of the institution/ department and contributed to the economy within the United Kingdom. Entrants must be able to detail how this addresses a specific challenge and the positive outcomes achieved through the initiative. Projects may still be ongoing, however demonstrable impact must be evidenced within the submission.
The Sustainable Green Initiative
Enter Now
The Sustainable Green Initiative Award celebrates the achievements of students, staff, and institutions in promoting environmental and social responsibility and making a difference to our climate. It reflects the regeneration and renewal of our planet and others across the North. It is an award that recognises an exceptional project or individual from within a higher or further education institution, which has had a significant impact field in renewing and regenerating communities and people.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Award
Enter Now
An award to recognise the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing within the culture of an education institution. Entrants must demonstrate a commitment to addressing issues and creating mental health and well-being interventions in support of staff, students and their community. Judges will be looking for ways in which these initiatives have been implemented as part of a long term strategy, within day to day learning for all stakeholders. Ongoing projects or those that have launched prior to 2023 will be accepted, however demonstrable impact should be evidenced during 2023-2024.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award
Enter Now
The Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Award seeks to recognise both an individual and/or an organisation in the education sector that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering the promotion and implementation of effective and supportive EDI. This could be aimed at supporting the outcomes of school pupils, students in further or higher education and mature learners. The judges are especially interested in entrants that can demonstrate evidence of impact from within the North of United Kingdom.
Business School of the Year
Enter Now
An award to recognise the leading Business School in the North with evidence of exceptional performance during 2023-2024. The category is open to all business schools in the North of the UK, including those within universities. Judges will be looking for evidence of impact on the business community and organisations through the school’s work. Entries should detail key business partnerships, innovation and an ongoing commitment to development of teaching and student experience.
Leadership and Innovation award
Enter Now
Businesses need dynamic entrepreneurs. The education sector has a high percentage of these alongside innovative organisations which are leading societal change and developing the next generation of initiatives, inventions and people. Many have high profiles, whilst others prefer to work tirelessly behind the scenes to motivate students and staff. The next generation of medicines, products, processes and treatments are being developed across the North and this award recognises these people and their organisation. The candidate should be an outstanding leader who leads by example and good governance. The candidate could be from the academic community, a governor, or a manager from within an associated organisation or an innovator leading an organisation that is making a positive contribution to meet the needs of citizens. This could be an engineer, entrepreneur, inventor, researcher or scientist that is making a difference for now and the next generation. The judges want to recognise these special people and their organisations. They could be an unsung hero of a team, a founder, CEO or CTO, or someone who takes more of a supporting role.
Further Education College of the Year
Enter Now
An award to honour the leading further education institution or sixth form within the North. Judges are seeking nominations that can demonstrate outstanding performance in the areas of teaching, student experience, innovation and economic impact with statistical evidence. Entrants must be able to detail key student support across a number of factors (eg. General advice, careers support, course provisions, innovative teaching methods, initiatives with organisations, facilities) and the successful outcomes through data and statistics.
Third Sector Award
Enter Now
An award to recognise the achievements of charities, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises, particularly organisations and societal leaders from across the sector who are making a difference in caring and supporting our people and society. The awards are also very keen to reflect the transformational role that digital now plays in the charity and voluntary sector. The awards will recognise excellence by celebrating projects that have shown innovation in this area. The judges are particularly interested in organisations and people from across the sector that are caring for people and fostering positive change.

Our Event Sponsors & Partners

RM Communications
IT Capital
interact
voiceworks.ai
Masood Entrepreneurship Centre
CCUK
Heart
Smooth Radio

Latest News

Image: CUTTING EDGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE BACKS EDUCATE NORTH AWARDS 10TH EVENT.
CUTTING EDGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE BACKS EDUCATE NORTH AWARDS 10TH EVENT. Read More
Image: INTERACT APPLAUDS EDUCATION HEROES
INTERACT APPLAUDS EDUCATION HEROES Read More
Image: NORTH’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL EVENT RETURNS FOR 10TH CELEBRATION.
NORTH’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EDUCATIO … Read More
Image: STANDING OVATION FOR ACADEMIC OPENS THE NORTH’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL AWARDS.
STANDING OVATION FOR ACADEMIC OPENS … Read More

Testimonials

The Educate North Awards represent both an important high-point and aspiration for the North’s academics, institutions and indeed students. It provides a platform for sharing excellence and achievement. More importantly it encourages, promotes, and nurtures the sector and talent. Congratulations on reaching 10. Here’s to the next ten celebrations of what the education sector achieves. DR JOHN CATER CBE DL, VICE-CHANCELLOR
EDGE-HILL UNIVERSITY
I was overwhelmed to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 as part of the Educate North Awards. It’s inspiring to see so many dedicated people being recognised for their important work across the educational sector and across so many disciplines. I hope the creators will build upon their own success since 2015 and create more opportunities to showcase what education really means in the North of this country. PROFESSOR NICOLA CURTIN
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
Seeing the Educate North Awards live for the first time in 2023 was a wonderful experience. To bring an often disparate sector together is wonderful, to share best-practice is fulfilling and to see the superb standards from Sixth-Forms, Further Education and then HE in one room is often, breathtaking. We should embrace Educate North more and drive it forward beyond this special 10th ceremony. SIR JOHN JONES
EDUCATIONALIST
The idea sounded complex but exciting in 2015. Could the North create a showpiece which would harness the best of the talents we have in our educational sector? Would anyone even enter? Would we create a respected and highly motivated judging panel and find expert leadership for it? Would we also find room, as we did in the first 3 years, to debate the future direction and resources needed to increase social mobility and opportunities for all? Would we find new business ideas and young entrepreneurs as well with a willingness to test their ideas? The answer was yes, and the result is a wonderful parade of superb nominees who are helping shape and change the worlds they occupy. Long may Educate North continue. DR JOHN KENNEDY CBE, KSG, KMCO, DL.
PATRON OF EDUCATE NORTH AWARDS
Extended Entry Deadline
Days 00
Hours 00
Mins 00
Secs 00