Sidcot School and ELAN Multi-Academy Trust win National Teaching Award for School Partnership of the Year

18 June 2025, Winscombe:  Sidcot School and Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) have been recognised with a Silver Award for School Partnership of the Year in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. Chosen from thousands of nominees, they will now be in with the chance of winning the highly desired Gold Award. The winner will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.

This recognition acknowledges partnership work undertaken across various disciplines, particularly in Art and Sport. In Art, this celebrates a three-year project spearheaded by Sidcot’s Head of Art, Johannah Egan. The project involved consultation and training workshops with ELAN teachers. These were followed by practical sessions in their individual schools and culminating with a presentation and creative day in Sidcot’s state-of-the-art exhibition centre. Participating children are invited to see their artwork on display and take part in an art workshop with Sidcot Art scholars. In Sport, it recognises a programme of activities in gymnastics, multi-sports, tennis, athletics, swimming and more. This is led by Lee Molland, Junior School PE and Sport Lead and Sidcot School Student Lead Learners.

Sidcot and ELAN are two of 93 deserving teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions recognised as a silver winner in this year’s awards. Awards were given for the lasting impact they have on shaping the lives of young people.

Head of Sidcot School, James Jones says: 

“We are so delighted that our partnership with ELAN has been recognised by the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards. During the rigorous award process, judges spoke to pupils and school leaders from both Sidcot and the nine ELAN primary schools. Sidcot’s Sixth Formers spoke passionately about the leadership opportunities that they receive from the partnership activities, while the ELAN pupils told the judges how much they enjoyed the events. Teachers expressed how useful they found the art workshops in particular, providing them with a bank of resources for future years. We would like to thank the Ganton Educational Trust for providing grant support for the ongoing success of this project.”

Adam Matthews, CEO of ELAN, says:

“I would like to celebrate the remarkable professionals who are the backbone of our education system. Brilliant teachers make the single biggest difference to a child’s education and we are delighted to be part of this ongoing partnership with Sidcot School, providing transformative opportunities to all of our pupils, from ELAN and Sidcot alike.”

The award announcement follows tributes from celebrities, students and schools across the UK as they say thank you to all those who work in education to mark National Thank a Teacher Day.

Celebrating the whole education community, National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.

Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, says: 

“The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable. Their influence extends well beyond the classroom – offering encouragement, inspiration, and unwavering support that can shape lives for years to come. That’s why National Thank a Teacher Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate all that they do.

“I’m also delighted to be able to congratulate this year’s Silver Award winners. Your passion and commitment to shaping the next generation is extraordinary. Thank you for the difference you make every single day.”

Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, says: 

“Every day, educators across the UK go above and beyond to inspire, support, and shape the future generation. Today, we proudly recognise those making an extraordinary impact. Our Silver Award winners represent the very best of the profession. We’re thrilled to celebrate their dedication and achievements. Congratulations to all of this year’s Silver winners!”

Rachel Johnson, CEO, PiXL, Sponsor of The Award for School or College Partnership of the Year says: 

“Collaboration is an essential driver of innovation in education, opening up access to new ideas, sharing best practices, and creating richer learning experiences. This year’s Silver Award winners have shown how powerful partnerships can be, leading with vision and purpose to provide exceptional opportunities for their pupils. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”

Further information:

Another Word Communications

Email: teachingawards@anotherword.com

Lynda Redington: 07946 355547

Sarah Simms, Director of Marketing, Sidcot School

Email: communications@sidcot.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

About Sidcot School:

Sidcot School is an independent school with over 600 students from around the world.  It is a Quaker school and places an emphasis on peace and global studies within the curriculum.

Sidcot School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  All staff appointments are subject to a DBS-enhanced check.

About ELAN:

Extend Learning Academies Network is a multi-academy trust of primary schools and nurseries situated at Banwell, Bournville, Locking, Oldmixon, Mead Vale, Mendip Green, Milton Park, Walliscote and Windwhistle. ELAN provides an extraordinary educational experience for c3000 pupils from across North Somerset. Everything we do is underpinned by our values: We embrace individuality. We do the right thing. We work together.

Facebook: @ExtendLearning

Instagram: @extendlearning

LinkedIn: Extend Learning Academies Network

About the Awards:

The Pearson National Teaching Awards are open to every early years setting, school and college across the UK. The awards were established by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998 and are managed by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity. The vision of the charity is to recognise and celebrate the impact of education across the UK. It does this through its public-facing ‘Thank A Teacher’ campaign www.thankateacher.co.uk, and through the Pearson National Teaching Awards www.teachingawards.com #teachingawards #thankateacher

About Pearson:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

About Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s best-loved writers for children. With a writing career that spans four decades, he has written over 100 books, selling more than 5 million copies in the UK and over 35 million worldwide. A former Children’s Laureate, Michael has won countless prizes, including the Smarties prize, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Whitbread Award, and was awarded an OBE for Services to Literature. Michael was also awarded an MBE in 1999, along with his wife Clare, in recognition of their work in founding Farms For City Children, a charity that has enabled 100,000 children to visit the charity’s three farms over the last 40 years.