Author: Ollie Cowan

Seven schools from Sefton have been shortlisted for this year’s Educate Awards!

From inspiring teachers, dedicated support staff to innovative projects across the curriculum, the awards recognises the work of schools and colleges which are delivering outstanding education and helping students achieve their full potential.

The awards, in partnership with Copyrite Systems and Ricoh, is in its eighth year and is the largest education awards in the North West.

With 21 categories in total, the following Sefton schools have been shortlisted:

• Bedford Primary School for the Eco School Project of the Year and Outstanding Arts in a Primary School
• Formby High School for Mental Health & Wellbeing Award and Outstanding Commitment to Sport in a Secondary School
• Hillside High School for Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School
• Netherton Moss Primary School for the Most Inspirational Primary School
• St Oswald’s CE Primary School for the Spirit of Enterprise Award
• St Thomas CE Primary School’s Katherine Lockley for the School Support Star of the Year
• Valewood Primary School for the Most Inspirational Primary School

Since launching in Liverpool in 2012, the awards has grown rapidly, now recognising schools and colleges right across the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

A new category has also been introduced this year, recognising schools’ commitment to mental wellbeing. The Mental Health & Wellbeing Award will be awarded to a school with a strong commitment to promoting social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and wellness.

This difficult task of shortlisting the entries fell upon the esteemed judging panel which includes Michelle Dow, managing director of All About STEM; James Tartt, Merseyside track athlete and architect; Councillor Gary Millar, assistant mayor & mayoral lead for business & international trade; Chris Walker, regional managing editor of Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales; Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber; Andrew Pimbley of Wirral’s Claremont Farm; Sue Cronin, head of teacher education at Liverpool Hope University, Suzanne Ramsey former partnership manager at Liverpool School Sports Partnership and Allan Williams, learning manager at Everyman and Playhouse Theatres.

Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to the Sefton schools shortlisted for the Educate Awards 2019!

“Every year, the judges’ job gets harder as the entries from schools get better. Whether it is the arts, careers, sport or their commitment to mental health and wellbeing, we aim to recognise all areas of education and shine a spotlight on all the hard work that goes on in schools and colleges each academic year.

“We look forward celebrating with all the finalists and winners on the 15 November.”

The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony, which takes place on Friday 15 November at Liverpool Cathedral.

Associate sponsors include: All About STEM, Angel Solutions, CER, CPMM Media Group, DMR David M Robinson Jewellery & Watches, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, Liverpool Learning Partnership, LSSP, Progress To Excellence Group, Satis Education, School Improvement Liverpool, Signature Living and Winstanley College.

Green Sefton, Sefton Council’s service that looks after parks, green spaces, coast and countryside, is looking for ideas on how it can breathe new life into Sefton’s landscape whilst also helping local community groups and businesses.

The Council is inviting people to offer expressions of interest on how they think Sefton’s green spaces can be put to use in ways that will benefit the community and visitors.

A number of parks, coastal and green spaces have been put forward as potential sites for new and additional ideas to compliment the fantastic facilities we already enjoy, but also to help encourage new investment and opportunities to sites across Sefton, working in partnership with our amazing ‘Friends of’ and community groups.

These sites include the Botanic Gardens, Crosby Coastal Park, North Park, South Park and a number of other special places across the borough.

We are keen to hear from community groups, existing or new, that may want to set up a new venture, and from businesses who want to promote what they do or even that may be looking for a new home. Some suggested ideas include a coffee shop or ice cream parlour in parks or dog grooming business on the beach, as well as ideas for new activities like a kite surfing school or developing children’s soft play areas.

However, expressions of interest are not limited to these suggestions and Green Sefton is keen to hear about any creative ideas people may have to bring people to the amazing parks and green spaces in Sefton. These can be one off events or year around offerings.

Ideas can be submitted online by visiting www.the-chest.org.uk until 25 October 2019.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity to raise the profile of our wonderful parks and coastline and to get more people to visit them and create new and exciting opportunities for both residents and visitors.

“This is also an opportunity for the council to work more closely with the community groups who already dedicate a lot of time to our green spaces and allow them to share their ideas for new investment opportunities.

“I am excited to see what ideas are put forward and hope that this gives budding community groups, business owners, and other organisations across Sefton the chance to put their plans into action.