The night opened with two uplifting performances. Students from Co-op Academy Bebington’s Band set the tone with a confident, energetic set, followed by the Wirral & Liverpool Primary Choir, whose pupils from Co-op Academy Hillside, Co-op Academy Woodslee, Co-op Academy Portland and Co-op Academy Rathbone filled the room with warmth and pride. Their performances were a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

CEO Dr Chris Tomlinson spoke about belonging, pupil experience and the everyday acts of kindness that shape our academies. This year, we received over 1,000 nominations from colleagues across the Trust, the highest ever. Each nomination recognised someone who makes a genuine difference through compassion, teamwork and commitment.

For the first time, all winners received complimentary tickets to upcoming Co-op Live shows, including artists such as Jamiroquai, Biffy Clyro, All Time Low, Jason Derulo, Deftones, James Arthur and The Prodigy. It was a small way to say thank you for the incredible impact colleagues have throughout the year.

Awards were presented across three sections during the evening, recognising 50 outstanding colleagues and teams in total. As always, the winners reflected the best of our Ways of Being Co-op, from improving attendance and supporting young carers to strengthening community links and shaping inclusive cultures.
 

The night closed with celebrations for our Special, Primary and Secondary Academies of the Year. It was a joyful end to an evening that showed what happens when colleagues across our Trust truly succeed together.

Below are this year’s winners:
 

Be Yourself Always

• Abdus Ali – Co-op Academy Delius
• Jenny Butter – Co-op Academy Florence McWilliams
• Alexandra Brown – Co-op Academy Manchester

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Do What Matters Most

• Rebecca Blood – Co-op Academy Northwood
• Jane Beaumont – Co-op Academy North Manchester
• Attendance Team – Co-op Academy Portland (Eileen Tolcher, Kim Hall, Christina McCarthy, Louise Barr, Jac Jenkins)

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Lifetime Achievement Award

• Sharon Hodgson – Co-op Academy Beckfield
• Sharon Smith – Co-op Academy Broadhurst
• Lynne Shackleton – Co-op Academy Failsworth
• Andrew Wright & Daniel Whitehouse – Co-op Academy Priesthorpe

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Succeed Together

• Collaborative Team at Co-op Academy Leeds - Emma Tariket, Melissa Miller, Emilie Lee, Lornette Mutteto
• Combined Cadet Force at Co-op Academy Walkden -  Sarah Taylor, Nathan Green, Rash Murphy, Mandy Bawden, Charlotte Richards, Phil Johnson
• Central Community Team - Liz Garrity, Daryl Tomlinson, Deborah Zaher, Will Goodrum

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Show You Care

• Alice O’Mahoney – Co-op Academy New Islington
• Georgiana Caprariu – Co-op Academy Leeds
• Debbie Ellison – Co-op Academy Medlock

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Geoff Clark Award

• Sinead Bingham – Co-op Academy Broadhurst
• Caitlin Wilson – Co-op Academy Brierley
• Charlotte Chambers – Co-op Academy Swinton

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Community Award

• Muhammed Saleem – Co-op Academy Belle Vue
• Sara Eyden – Co-op Academy Clarice Cliff
• Mumtaz Butt – Co-op Academy Delius

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Central or Hub Colleague of the Year

• Jess Tarrant
• Dewan Chowdhury
• Sarah Lay

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Support Staff of the Year

• Susan Jones – Co-op Academy Broadhurst
• Jenni Louisa – Co-op Academy Clarice Cliff
• Richard Simpson – Co-op Academy Manchester

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Teacher of the Year

• Jenni Williams – Co-op Academy Friarswood
• Lucie Brackenbury – Co-op Academy Oakwood
• Catherine Radcliffe – Connell Co-op College

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Director of the Year

• Sarah Thornton
• Rebekah Holt
• Sayeh Mariner

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Academies of the Year

• Special Academy of the Year – Co-op Academy Delius
• Primary Academy of the Year – Co-op Academy Beckfield
• Secondary/Post-16 Academy of the Year – Connell Co-op College