How and when to watch the T&A Education Awards 2021

The annual event, held in partnership with Bradford Council and Bradford For Teaching, is back only seven months after its predecessor.

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 awards ceremony, which was supposed to be held in March at the Aagrah Midpoint, was moved to a virtual setting and hosted in September.

Unfortunately, restrictions mean nominees will again miss out on a glamorous evening, but nevertheless it should be another night to remember for everybody associated with education in the district.

How you can watch the awards live

Finalists, who are all winners in their own right, will be battling it out across 11 categories to secure a rewarding accolade on Thursday (6.30pm).

Everybody is welcome to watch via a live stream presented on the T&A’s website.

Who are the finalists?

This last year has been like no other with schools closed and online learning becoming vital for every youngster up and down the country.

Education providers and their staff have been pushed to the limit but each and every one of them have found a way to adapt.

The awards will highlight all aspects of education from pupils to governors to teachers. Here's a full list of all the nominees...

Newcomer of the Year

• Maria Ahmed, Eastwood Community

• Nicole Seek, Shirley Manor Primary

• Rhianna Finch, Russell Hall Primary

Governor of the Year

• Mike Isaac, Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust
• Julian Maxfield, Beechcliffe Secondary Special
• Tim Appelbee, Eastwood Community

Supporting Staff Member of the Year

• Nageena Khan, Clerk
• Jackie Drew, Beckfoot
• Linda Marshall, St Columba's Primary

Community Involvement

• Zaid Bashir, Bradford College
• Carol Julian, Hanson
• Lily Romani, Morrisons Girlington

Star Student (Under-16) of the Year

• Emily Dunn, Wycliffe Primary
• Star Gavaza, Barkerend Primary
• Hawa Khan, Thornbury Primary

Star Student (Over-16) of the Year

• Baklcha Ahmed, Bradford College
• Kiera Heckman, Craven College
• Klea Kurmekaj, Bradford College

Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year

• Lynne Armstrong, Trinity All Saints Primary
• Rayfa Ali, Sandal Primary
• Nichola Lunn and Val Bottomley, Eldwick Primary

Secondary Teacher of the Year

• Josh Blackham, Bradford Forster
• Claire Smith, Beckfoot
• Emma King, Buttershaw

Headteacher of the Year

• Richard Ireland, Co-op Academy Beckfield
• Alice Jones, Oxenhope Primary
• Jon Skurr, University Academy Keighley

Headteacher - leading through Covid

• Simon Wade, Beckfoot
• Andrew Soutar, Ashlands Primary
• Fiona Meer, Low Ash Primary

School of The Year

• Silsden Primary
• Oastlers
• Co-op Academy Beckfield

What the hosts have said

Steve Lowe, sales director for LocaliQ, the digital marketing arm of Newsquest, said: “As we prepare for the Education Awards, I want to congratulate everyone in the education sector for the fantastic work you have all done in what we all know have been exceptionally challenging times for teachers, governors and support staff.

"Back in September, delayed from the spring we ran the awards to find the best from 2019, and those stories were amazing.

“Now we have the stories behind how pupils, support staff and the schools themselves are impacted by the events of the past twelve months, yet we were still able to find those that go above and beyond, and it is for these reasons we are proud to be hosting the awards once again, even though it’s virtual and not in person.

“The good news is that anyone can log on from a PC, laptop or mobile phone and join the celebrations.

“A big thank you to Bradford Council for supporting the awards, we could not run them without their kind support and to the category sponsors for whom I am grateful of your support and participation.

“Good luck everyone and see you (virtually) at 6:30pm this Thursday.”

Nigel Burton, Newsquest Yorkshire group editor and editor of the Telegraph & Argus, said: “The past 12 months have been difficult for everyone and schools have faced some of the greatest challenges.

“But adversity also brings out the best in people and we have seen the education sector rise to the challenge magnificently. Buy our pictures @ telegraphandargus.co.uk

“Teachers have adapted to a new paradigm - working with pupils via computer and, after lockdown was relaxed, juggling face-to-face tuition with pupils forced to work from home due to self isolation rules.

“As a parent I have a new appreciation of the work they do - an opinion I am sure must be shared by every parent who juggled home learning with home working in the last year.

“On the night there can be only one winner in each category but there are no losers. Every nominee in this supplement is a winner in their own right.”

Education bosses have their say

Mark Douglas, Strategic Director of Children’s Services, said: “The annual Education Awards have always provided a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful and varied work that goes on in schools across the Bradford district.

"In 2021, after a year like no other, it feels especially important to recognise and celebrate the remarkable efforts of the highly skilled and dedicated staff we are very fortunate to have across our district.

“In these difficult times, teachers, school leaders and support staff have been on the frontline but they have risen admirably to the challenges presented by the coronavirus crisis. They have consistently gone above and beyond to ensure our children and young people have continued to receive the edu-cation, training and support they deserve.

“COVID-19 has placed many extra demands on schools with new ways of working required to ensure learning could carry on. Despite the disruption and uncertainty, schools have continued to dedicate themselves to making a positive and profound difference to the lives of their pupils and to help them achieve their full potential.

“I want to thank everyone working in education across the district for their tireless efforts.

“It is heart-warming to see the level of care and time they put in to educating the children and young people of Bradford district.

“I send my congratulations to all the nominees. They represent all that is good about the education sector - passion, commitment, and kindness.

“I look forward to hearing more about their incredible achievements in transforming young people’s lives.”

Cllr Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “The Education Awards are always an incredibly uplifting occasion in the calendar.

"I always look forward to hearing about the heroes working in our schools across the district.

“This has been a year like no other so I think it’s as important as ever to take the time to hear those stories and pay tribute to the professionals and volunteers who really have gone above and beyond to support all our children.

"From helping to arrange school meals through lockdowns and school holidays, to getting digital devices and other support out to families, to running online lessons at the same time as in-school provision – our teachers and school staff have done a phenomenal job, which has gone well beyond educating our children.

“It’s important to note the extent of the pandemic’s impact on children and therefore the dedication of those working in education in our district will be invaluable in supporting our children to recover and look ahead to a brighter future.

"This year’s Education Awards promises to be a really memorable event.”