Education Business

Major investment
£31 billion of investment over the last decade has delivered massive change, with hundreds of thousands of pupils now being taught in new or vastly improved facilities. The Building Schools for the Future Project and the Primary Capital Programme mean that in the next 15 years, every secondary school and at least half of primary schools will be rebuilt or refurbished. The local authority maintained school workforce has grown by 17,300 over the past 12 months - a substantial staff increase that will help schools deliver personalised learning and higher standards.
    
The Education Business Awards, sponsored by BT and supported by the British Educational Suppliers Association, recognise successful schools and projects that demonstrate how the dedication of teaching and management staff, coupled with sound investment, have delivered better learning environments.
    
The EB Awards will this year take place at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on 20 November, and will be presented by TV and radio celebrity Phillippa Forrester. Forrester first worked for the BBC as a presenter on Children's BBC alongside Toby Anstis until 1994 and then went on to host many programmes including Tomorrow's World (with Peter Snow), Barking Mad, The Heaven and Earth Show, and Robot Wars.
    
Now in its third year, the EB Awards goes from strength to strength. This year sees new awards introduced for Modern Languages and Academy Partnerships. Entering the EB Awards is simple. All that is required is a 500-word entry statement, which can be submitted online at www.ebawards.co.uk. The closing date for entries is 5pm Friday 24 October.

Award list
Modern Languages Award - awarded to the educational establishment that has excelled in the provision of a first class environment for teaching Modern Languages.
    
Award sponsor Rosetta Stone uses a natural method that teaches new language directly, without translation. That means no more confusing grammar explanations or mind-numbing vocabulary lists to memorise.
    
Sports Award - awarded to the educational establishment in the UK that can demonstrate an outstanding commitment and performance in developing the sporting skills of its students. Entry is open to secondary schools from all sectors.
    
Academy Partnership - presented to the established specialist academy that can demonstrate benefits to the community through a partnership with an existing establishment (primary school, secondary school, university).
    
Outstanding Academy Award - awarded to the specialist academy that can demonstrate outstanding progress both in its specialisms and in general education. Award sponsor Cost Cutters offer expert advice, helping to create a fun and active learning environment for all ages and ability. Whether it’s an outdoor activity, a classroom chair, or a full library refurbishment they can provide high quality service with dependable products and delivery.
    
Academy Development Award - this award will recognise a recently completed academy project that has demonstrated sound project management and procurement skills in order to complete development on time and to budget.
    
SEN Provision Award - presented to the UK SEN Establishment that can demonstrate an increase in the quality of care and education services provided to students with Special Educational Needs. Sponsors of this award, Mike Ayres Designs, has been designing, manufacturing and installing sensory environments since the mid 1980’s, and has continued to do so longer than any other company in the UK.
    
EB Award for Outstanding Progress - presented to the UK establishment that has made outstanding progress in the management of its facilities, finances and human resources and can demonstrate an increase in the educational performance of the school.
    
Science Award - awarded to the educational establishment that has excelled in the provision of a first-class environment for teaching science subjects including biology, chemistry and physics.
    
Music Award - presented to the educational establishment that can demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of musical learning through the provision of a first class teaching environment.
    
ICT Innovation Award - awarded to the educational establishment that can demonstrate the most innovative use of ICT in order to further the learning experience of pupils and help improve results in curriculum-based subjects.
    
Art and Craft Award - presented to the educational establishment that can provide first class learning environment and modern, flexible facilities for students of art & craft.
    
Environmental Building Award - awarded to the school building project that can demonstrate a benefit to both the learning and local environment through its design.
    
Award sponsor Keep It Kool Ltd designs and installs a range of Shade Sails and Waterproof Tension Structures that provide the perfect solution for UV protected outdoor play areas and classrooms in schools, nurseries and public playgrounds all over the UK.
    
School Building Award - presented to the establishment that has provided what is judged to be the most technically advanced building constructed for the purpose of a teaching present and future pupils.
    
Sports Facility Award - awarded to the educational establishment in the UK that can demonstrate an outstanding commitment to developing the sporting skills of its students through the provision of first class facilities and coaching programmes. Sponsor TigerTurf, the UK's leading artificial grass manufacturer, utilises the same technology as carpet tufting, but relies upon adapting conventional machinery to manufacture longer tuft lengths required in many products.
    
School Security Award - recognises the UK school that has made outstanding efforts to increase security through a combination of increased awareness in staff and pupils and the procurement and installation of additional security measures such as CCTV, fencing, manned guarding etc.
    
ICT Facility Award - awarded to the educational establishment in the UK that has made outstanding progress in the provision of a first class environment for the teaching of ICT and related subjects. Entry is open to secondary schools from all sectors. Since 1994, sponsor Channel 4 Learning has produced innovative multi-media resources for learners aged 4-19, and offers primary and secondary schools the very best in video-based curriculum resources.
    
Healthy Vending Award - presented to educational establishment in the UK that can demonstrate a commitment to healthy eating through the successful introduction of health vending machines containing only approved products.
    
School Catering Award - presented to educational establishment in the UK that can demonstrate a commitment to healthy eating and value for money through the provision of a first class catering service available to all students. Sponsor the School Food Trust launched the Million Meals campaign in October last year with the aim of increasing the number of school children taking a lunch by over a million every day.
    
Educational Visits Award - presented to the educational establishment that can demonstrate a commitment to providing students with a range of subject specific educational visits in order to further their learning experience.

For more information
www.ebawards.co.uk