2026 Finalists

Apprenticeship Award

Askham Bryan College

— Apprenticeship Land-Based Lift Off

Cheshire College - South & West and Utilita Energy

— Training for a Sustainable Future

Education Partnership North East

— Apprenticeships

Myerscough College

— Apprenticeships for Skills, Careers and Growth

Salford City College (SCC Group)

— Apprenticeships at Salford City College

University of Salford

— Apprenticeships

Warrington & Vale Royal College

— Advanced Automation Build Programme

Wigan & Leigh College

Business Engagement Award – HE/FE Sector

East Durham College (& Robertson Homes)

— Developing Futures

Franklin Sixth Form College

— Emma Swinburn, Christina Vorley, Andy Lockwood - The Legal Skills Certificate

Hartlepool College of Further Education in partnership with Airbourne Colours

— The Airbourne Colours Trainee Programme

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

— Skills Bootcamps

Hull College

— AI Academy

TEC Partnership, NET, Integrated Care Board WAD Programme

— Creating Pathways into NHS Employment through Collaborative Partnerships and Sector Skills Training

The Sheffield College and Aviva

— Inclusive Careers Project

Trafford and Stockport College Group

— Manchester Airport Skills Hub

Business Engagement Award – University Sector

Leeds Beckett University Business School

— #WECAN Programme

The University of Manchester (with Ove Arup & Partners)

— MASIL: Next‑Generation Digital Simulation for Safer, Greener Structures

The University of Manchester & Menzies LLP (formerly Beever & Struthers)

— Digitalising the Audit Function

University of Huddersfield & Institute of Railway Research

— Driving the Future of our Railways

University of Liverpool Management School

— Project Partners

University of Salford

— Centre for Sustainable Innovation

Campaign of the Year

Calderdale College

— Great Career, Right Here

Craven College

— The Woolly and Whinny Campaign

Leeds College of Building

— Build Greatness Campaign

Northumbria University

— Unlock Your Potential Campaign

TEC Partnership

— Skills Bootcamp Marketing Campaign

The Northern School of Art

— Creative Community: Student-Led, Data-Driven HE Recruitment Campaign

The Sheffield College on behalf of the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership

— South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub

University of Salford

— It Starts in Salford. A Place Where Ideas are Formed that Shape the World

Charity/Third Sector Award

Bendrigg Trust

Northumbria Students’ Union

— An Outstanding Year

Swarthmore Education Centre

The Christie Hospital / The Christie Charity

— Teenage & Young Adult Education & Employment Project

Community Engagement Award – HE/FE Sector

Hopwood Hall College

— Cooking Up Change in the Community

Learning Curve Group

Newcastle College (& EPNE, Children North East, King’s Trust, Winnovation, The Key, NUF, Groundworks)

— Open Doors: Beyond Barriers

Northumbria Students' Union and University, Newcastle Students' Union and University and Newcastle College

— Students as Partners

Oldham College

— Social Action Projects

Oldham Sixth Form College together with Cranmer and Pinnacle Multiacademy Trusts, The University of Manchester, Oldham Council, Oldham Athletic Football Club, Oldham Enterprise Trust

— Great Horizons 2025

Sunderland College

— Hate2Riot Project

Swarthmore Education Centre

— Creative Communities Project

Community Engagement Award – University Sector

Aspiration Digital and Newcastle University Business School

Holocaust Centre North

— Student Placements

Newcastle University & RISE

— Community Physical Activity Clinical Champions

Northumbria University

— NU Navigators

Sheffield Hallam University and Save the Children

— Early Years Community Research Centre (EYCRC)/Meadows Nursery

University of Lancashire & Partner Care Homes

— The Person Before the Patient

University of Manchester with Oldham Council, Schools and Enterprise Trust

— Great Horizons 2025

York St John University

— Centre for Counselling and Community (YSJCC) Programmes

Sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University

Digital and AI Innovation Award – HE/FE Sector

Bishop Burton College

— Inclusive, Immersive and AI Driven Learning Transformation

Bradford College (Monika Worthington, Clark Mitton)

— Lesson Weaver

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

— I>innovate

Hopwood Hall College

— AI Careers Transformation & UCAS Agent

Learning Curve Group

— AI Driven Learner Non-Completion Reduction Project

Leeds City College (Adult, Community and ESOL)

— Digital & AI for Community Inclusion

TEC Partnership

— Making the Real Virtual and the Virtual Real

The Oldham College

— The Imaginarium

Digital and AI Innovation Award – University Sector

Newcastle University Business School

— TheoryHub / Prof Savvas Papagiannidis

Northumbria University (Norman Managed Services)

— Ember: Sector-Led Conversational AI for Hybrid 24/7 IT Support

The Manchester Metropolitan University Centre for Enterprise (Lancaster University, the University of Salford, GM Colleges)

— The Centre for Digital Innovation

University of Chester

— Micro Learning

University of Cumbria

— The Clarence Project' Rehumanising Nursing Education

University of Lancashire

— AI Chatbot and Real-Time Conversational AI Avatar for Student Support and SME Engagement

University of Salford

— Immersive Digital Simulation Project Connects Salford Students to Ugandan Amputees

York College & University Centre

— Education Without Walls

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award

Go Higher West Yorkshire

— Care to Go Higher CPD

Hopwood Hall College

— ESOL Department: Our Journey & Our Culture – ESOL Stories Project

Leeds Beckett University Business School

— #WECAN Programme

Liverpool John Moores University

— Diversity & Inclusion Funded Projects Programme

Sheffield Hallam University

— Black British Pathway Programme (BBPP)

St Helens College

— Quality Team/Student Experience, EDI Steering Group

Teesside University

— Emily Downes

University of York

— GenerationResearch

Game-Changing Education Award

Askham Bryan College

— Learning Without Limits: Simulated Play, Real World Mastery

Hull College, in partnership with HEY! Volunteering

— Locked Out: The Day the Jobs Disappeared

Liverpool Hope University

— Physiotherapy 360’ Digital Escape Room

Manchester Metropolitan University

— Dr Pin Shen Teh

The City of Liverpool College and The Games Assembly

University of Lancashire

— Transforming Medical Education with Playful Learning

University of Salford

— UoScape

York College and University Centre

— WorldSkills Competitions Week

Heart Creative Arts Award

Access Creative College Manchester

— Supporting the North West Grassroots Music Industry

Arts North Studios College (in partnership with Arts Educational Schools London, Sunderland College & Culture Quarter)

— Expanding Creative Access and Excellence in the North East

TEC Partnership

— Creative Arts

The City of Liverpool College

— Contributions to Community, Culture and Legacy

University of Lancashire and Shakespeare North

— Acting Partnership & Public Performance Programme

Wakefield College

— Reclaim the Night: Demanding Justice through Art

Wirral Met College

— Creative Arts Impact

Innovation Award

Askham Bryan College

— Evolving Education: Transforming the Askham Bryan College Wildlife & Conservation Park into a Teaching Zoo

Greater Manchester Further Education Innovation Partnership (GMFEIP)

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

— Creating the UK’s first Carbon Capture and Storage Programme

The Manchester College and UCEN Manchester

— Leadership of Learning - Leadership and Management Development Programme

The University of Manchester - Knowledge Exchange Partnerships Team

— Harmonised Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)

Trafford & Stockport College Group

— Auto-Enrolment Voter Registration at College Enrolment

University of Leeds

— NewsdayVR

University of Manchester in Partnership with the Bank of England

— Teach Economics

Liverpool Hope Prize; Outstanding Achievement for Social Mobility

Cheshire College - South & West

— Crewe 42

Darlington College

— Social Mobility

St Michael's Church of England Academy, part of the All Saints Multi Academy Trust St Michael’s

— Faith in your Future and Cambridge University’s HE+ Programme

Sponsored by Smooth Radio North East & Smooth Radio North West

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award

Arts North Studios

— Embedding Mental Health, Mindset and Wellbeing into Creative Training

Edge Hill University, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, and Liverpool Medical Needs Education

— Supporting Tomorrow’s Teachers to Promote the Mental Health of Children and Young People

Manchester Metropolitan University and St John Ambulance

— Empowering Positive Student Mental Health and Wellbeing through Peer-to-peer Training

Northumbria Students Union

— Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative

Salford City College Group

— #WELLSTUDENT

University of Chester, Chaplaincy

— Preventative Health Initiative

University of Lancashire School of Veterinary Medicine

— How to Thrive in Veterinary Education

Works4u

— Support Services

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Initiative Award

Askham Bryan College

— Inspiring Practical Science Learning Across All Disciplines and All Levels

Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

— STEM Event Initiatives

The University of Manchester (SEERIH)

— Engineering Educates Robotics Challenge

The University of Manchester (SEERIH)

— Great Science Share for Schools

University of Huddersfield

— Practical Science Outreach for Years 10-13 Learners

University of York

— GenerationResearch

Student Experience Award - HE/FE Sector

Askham Bryan College

— Aspire Mentoring Programme

Blackburn College

— Studying Beyond the Classroom: International Work-Related Learning

City of Liverpool College

— Students’ Union Social and Cultural Project

Newcastle College University Centre

— Warm Spaces Initiative

South Tyneside College

— ESOL Football Team: Inclusive Enrichment Initiative

The Sheffield College

— Sheffcol Goes Global - Making Overseas Placements Accessible

The Sixth Form Bolton

— Policing Academy

Wigan & Leigh College

Student Experience Award – University Sector

Leeds Beckett University

— Embedding Employability and Belonging through Integrated Level 4 Assessment

Northumbria Students’ Union

— A Positive Impact on All our Students

Royal Northern College of Music

Teesside University

— Law Employability Innovation Team

University of Chester

— Chester Credentials Nano-credentials

University of Hull BSc Physiotherapy

— Student-led Neurological Physiotherapy Clinic

University of Lancashire

— Achieve+

York St John University

— Student Engagement

Sustainable Green Initiative

Bishop Burton College

— Decarbonising our Campus

Darlington College

— Sustainability and Green Initiatives

Kirklees College

— Green Changemakers

Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool World Centre

— Wider Perspectives in Initial Teacher Education

The Sixth Form Bolton

— Sustainability

The University of Manchester and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust KTP

— PeatFix: To Support and Improve Peatland Restoration and Revegetation

The University of Salford x ACS Clothing

University of Huddersfield

— Sustainability Champions

Sponsored by Smooth Radio North East & Smooth Radio North West

College or FE Student Achievement of the Year

Anujayani Rathugama

— Tameside College

Archie Matthews

— Myerscough College

Ivanna Clary

— Craven College

Mia Goodall

— St Helens College

Niko-Rae Rust

— Hull College

Robert Rakhra

— Hull College

Robert White

— Wakefield College, Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

Sienna Minns

— Hull College

University Student Achievement of the Year

Bashirunnisa Ananya

— University of Manchester

Charlie Allen

— Leeds Beckett University Business School

Emma Ellis

— Liverpool Hope University

Gian-Piero Meade

— Teesside University

Lamin Gibba

— Newcastle College University Centre

Natalie Mulley

— University of Salford

Phillip Meehan

— The Christie Hospital

Ramitha Nittore Ramnath

— University of Chester

Zoe Eaton

— TEC Partnership

PHD Student Achievement of the Year

Caroline Biddle

— Manchester Metropolitan University

Debbie Busby

— Manchester Metropolitan University

Gabrielle David

— The University of Manchester

James Oxford

— The University of Manchester

Rand Abdulhussain

— University of Huddersfield

Tom Mitchell

— Manchester Metropolitan University

Leadership and Innovation Award

Annie Guy

— Arts North Studios

Professor Caroline Wilkinson

— Liverpool John Moores University

Danny Metters

— Bishop Burton College

Professor Hannah Holmes

— Manchester Metropolitan University

Ken Merry

— York College

Dr Miri Firth

— The University of Manchester

Ramitha Nittore Ramnath

— University Of Chester

Professor Richard Allmendinger

— Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester

Business School of the Year

Lancaster University Management School

Newcastle University Business School

Salford Business School, University of Salford

Teesside University International Business School

University of Huddersfield – Huddersfield Business School (HBS)

University of Lancashire Business School

Further Education College of the Year

Access Sport College

Bishop Burton College

Blackburn College

Hull College

Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College

Pure College

Wigan & Leigh College

Winstanley College

York College

Law School of the Year

Durham Law School

Edge Hill University, School of Law and Criminal Justice

Lancaster University School of Law

Liverpool John Moores University - School of Law and Justice Studies

Northumbria Law School

The University of Chester Law School

Medical School of the Year

University of Lancashire – School of Medicine and Dentistry

University of Manchester, School of Medical Sciences

University Of Sheffield Medical School

University of Sunderland School of Medicine

Sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University

Lifetime Achievement Award

There is no shortlist for this category. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on 7 May.

University of the Year

There is no shortlist for this category. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on 7 May.

Our Event Sponsors & Partners

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, FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR
EDGE-HILL UNIVERSITY

I was overwhelmed to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award 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 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 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 the ENAs 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

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