We are back for 2026 with Smooth Radio North East, Smooth Radio North West and Heart Yorkshire giving you the chance to nominate outstanding teachers, head teachers and institutions in the North, for another year. In the last 12 months teachers and academic institutions across the North of England have gone the extra mile and we want to say THANK YOU!
Deadline for nominations – midday 23 March 2026
The winners will be announced at the ENAs on 7 May 2026.
Categories & Criteria
Outstanding School, College or University – To recognise an outstanding contribution by a school, college, higher education institution (including universities) or organisation in the North of England to develop and support their education establishment or the wider community during 2025/2026. Applications should demonstrate outstanding impact of the institution on its community over the past 12 months and how it is developing organisations and people for the future.
Outstanding Teacher – To recognise an outstanding contribution by an individual teacher, lecturer, or teaching assistant in the North of England during 2025/2026. Teachers are so motivational and teaching excellence empowers and enables students to learn and the teacher to build up the knowledge and skills which strengthens their community. Applications should demonstrate outstanding impact during the last 12 months.
Outstanding Head Teacher – To recognise an outstanding contribution by an individual Head Teacher within an education establishment in the North of England during 2025/2026. The leadership and commitment shown by the individual will have had a major impact on their pupils, staff and community and benefitted all. Exemplars of achievements, leadership, and the outstanding impact it has had will be most welcome.
Congratulations to the winners of 2025!
- Outstanding School, College or University – Royal Northern College of Music
- Outstanding Teacher – Susan Allinson, Woodham Burn Community Primary School
- Outstanding Head Teacher – Scott Cordon, King’s Leadership Academy Liverpool