A WIRRAL school's efforts to prepare students for future careers has earned a prestigious educational award.

Wirral Grammar School for Boys scooped the Careers & Enterprise Award at the Educate Awards in a ceremony last night (Friday, November 18).

The award recognises schools, academies and colleges that are preparing young people the best they can for their future careers.

Judges were impressed by Wirral Grammar School for Boys’ commitment to preparing its students for the future, which includes an aspirational programme that is implemented through all years and teaches ‘Careers’ as a stand-alone topic.

The school also holds interactive events during the year and has utilised close partnerships and challenges like the 'Fuel10K Challenge' to encourage students to be engaged with enterprise.

Now in its eleventh year, the Educate Awards showcases the hard work and creativity that takes place in the education sector, from STEM and performing arts to sport and literacy.

The Educate Awards took place at the Liverpool Cathedral and welcomed more than 600 guests. The evening was hosted by broadcaster, Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross.

Alongside the awards ceremony was a three-course gala dinner and entertainment from schools around the region, including a Legally Blonde The Musical medley by St Mary’s Catholic College in Wallasey.

Kim O'Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: "Congratulations to Wirral Grammar School for Boys who won at this year's Educate Awards.

"A big well done to the runners up and finalists too.

"Results this year were incredibly close, and judges had a difficult time deciding not only the shortlist but also overall the winners."

The Educate Awards 2022 winners and runners up:

The communication award

  • Winner: Litherland High School, Sefton
  • Runner up: Maricourt Catholic High School, Sefton

Outstanding commitment to the environment

  • Winner: Neston High School
  • Runner up: Netherton Moss Primary School, Sefton

Careers and enterprise award

  • Winner: Wirral Grammar School for Boys
  • Runner up: Ridgeway High School, Wirral

SEND provision award

  • Winner: Notre Dame Catholic College, Liverpool
  • Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens

Innovative and creative literacy award

  • Winner: Eldon Primary School, Preston
  • Runner up: Cowley International College, St Helens

Outstanding commitment to STEM

  • Winner: Maghull High School, Sefton
  • Runner up: Great Crosby Catholic Primary School, Sefton

Outstanding arts in school

  • Winner: The Hollins, Accrington
  • Runner up: Stockport Academy, Greater Manchester

Community partnership award

  • Winner: Archbishop Blanch School, Liverpool
  • Runner up: Chorlton High School, Manchester

Mental health and well-being award

  • Winner: St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Widnes
  • Runner up: Wright Robinson College, Manchester

Outstanding commitment to sport in primary school

  • Winner: St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School, Sefton
  • Runner up: St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Wallasey

Outstanding commitment to sport in secondary school

  • Winner: Wright Robinson College, Manchester
  • Runner up: Rainford High, St Helens

Leadership team of the year

  • Winner: St Wilfrid's Church of England Primary Academy, Wigan
  • Runner up: Wright Robinson College, Manchester

Business manager of the year

  • Winner: Sue McMullen, St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Widnes
  • Runner up: Stuart Davidson, Myerscough College, Preston

Teacher of the year

  • Winner: Kira Redmond, St Peter's CE Primary School, Bolton
  • Runner up: Stephanie Wardale, Hillside High School, Sefton

School support star of the year

  • Winner: Mike Smith, Cardinal Langley RC High School, Rochdale
  • Runner up: Mark Costello, Launchpad Centre KS4, St Helens

Most inspirational alternative provision

  • Winner: Endeavour-Darwen Vale High School, Blackburn
  • Runner up: Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, Wirral

Most inspirational 16-18 education provider

  • Winner: Wargrave House School and College, Newton-le-Willows
  • Runner up: Everton Football College, Liverpool

Most inspirational secondary school

  • Winner: Rainford High, St Helens
  • Runner up: The Hollins, Accrington

Most inspirational primary school

  • Winner: Parish CE Primary School, St Helens
  • Runner up: St Peter's CE Primary School, Bolton

WOW recognition award

  • Winner: The Academy of St Nicholas, Liverpool
  • Runner up: Beech Hall School, Cheshire

Kim O'Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, added: "The Educate Awards team is proud to champion the innovation, diversity and dedication that is taking place in educational establishments around the region.

"Entries will open again in February 2023 and we encourage all types of schools and colleges to submit as many entries as they like, for free."