2026 Shortlisted Nominees
Meet All The Shortlisted Nominees
We’ve had such an amazing response this year and it has been phenomenal to receive an unprecedented number of nominations!
Our judges carefully read through hundreds entries from a variety of talented teams across the sector and were overwhelmed by the exceptionally high standard of nominations submitted.
While we can not present everyone with an award, each and every nomination we received is truly deserving of recognition for their continued dedication, hard work and achievements.
Join us to congratulate the 2026 shortlisted nominees for the National Schools Awards below. We look forward to celebrating you all at the ceremony!
School Business Leader of the Year Award
This award celebrates an exceptional school business leader who has radically reinvented the perception of the traditional school business manager within not just their own setting but across their local region and is a trailblazer for projecting professionalism.
They will also show an exceptional ability to for delivering excellent resource management across their own school, ensuring financial viability whilst still improving pupil outcomes.
The Nominees of the School Business Leader of the Year award are:
Julia Finch
Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Palladian Academy Trust
Lorna Burg
Director of Business and Finance
Henry Cavendish School
Debbie McManus
Head of Finance
Vine Schools Trust
Kevin Panrucker
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Canonium Learning Trust
Leadership Team of the Year Award
This award celebrates individuals/schools that are driving the strategic direction of their school, through joined-up leadership across the SBP, Headteacher and Chair of Governor in developing a strategic plan for the school and developing appropriate budgets and long-term planning to facility these plans.
The winner demonstrates a positive impact on securing the sustainability of the school, whilst improving pupil outcomes.
The Nominees of the Leadership Team of the Year Award are:
Evelyn Street Primary Academy and Nursery
Chessbrook Education Support Centre
Meridan High School
School of the Year Award
This award will celebrate a school that has delivered huge improvements for their pupils’ outcomes, improved year-on-year through its exam results, introduced a new and innovative curriculum that has provided tangible results, overcome a challenging period or simply worked tirelessly to ensure the successful running of their school and general wellbeing of the staff and pupils at the school.
The nominees of the School of the Year Award are:
Bedmond Academy
Prince Albert Primary School
Nightingale Primary School
EdTech Innovator of the Year Award
Sponsored by VenturEd Solutions
This award celebrates an individual or school who has helped to introduce new EdTech into their school setting for the benefit of pupils and staff or the general efficiency of their school.
The nominees of the EdTech Innovator of the Year Award are:
Jo Garrod
Headteacher
Glyn School
Ali Lafcioglu
Head of Department
North London Grammar School
Ade Ikoli
Creative Director of Media Technology and Innovation
Hopewell School Dagenham
Estates Management of the Year Award
Sponsored by MAC Construction Consultants
A school estate is one of the most critical parts of a school’s success and the management of school buildings and infrastructure is often an overlooked aspect of day-to-day school life. As such, this award will recognise those who have continued to manage and improve their schools’ buildings and estates.
The nominees of the Estates Management of the Year Award are:
Scott Lewis
Director of Estates
Prince Albert Community Trust
Matt Hassall
Head of Estates
Avanti Schools Trust
James Green
Director of Estates
Archway Learning Trust
MAT of the Year Award
Sponsored by Reed Education
This award celebrates a MAT that has successfully turned around their schools or has managed to grow whilst maintaining or increasing positive pupil outcomes. The MAT can be any size and should show examples of using innovation and imagination to improve their schools.
The nominees of the MAT of the Year Award are:
Prince Albert Community Trust
Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust
Matrix Academy Trust
Governor of the Year Award
Governors play a vital role in the smooth running and management of a school and the relationship with the senior leadership team is critical to ensure positive pupil and staff outcomes. As such, this award celebrates school Governor that has performed above and beyond their role in providing exceptional advice, leadership and guidance in the running of their school.
The nominees of the Governor of the Year Award are:
Helen Dicker
Paulette Osborne
Steve Keeble
Humroy Whyte
SEND Leader of the Year Award
SEND practice continues to be an incredibly challenging but crucial part of the education sector and a domain which requires the full support of a school and/or trust. We are looking for a SEND leader who consistently strives to improve educational outcomes and provide the highest quality support for their pupils, both through their own endeavours and through collaboration with their leadership team.
The nominees of the SEND Leader of the Year Award are:
Donna Waring
Director of SEND
Endeavour Learning Trust
Amanda Shotter
Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion
Prince Albert Community Trust
Colin Gall
Assistant Headteacher
SENDCO & Inclusion, Clapton Girls Academy