Inspiring Futures through Learning Launches First Ever Colleague Awards to Celebrate Exceptional People

Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) has launched its first ever Colleague Awards, celebrating the dedication, creativity and impact of colleagues across its schools and communities.

The awards were designed with fairness, transparency and community voice at their heart. Nominations opened in early March via a dedicated webpage, allowing parents, carers, colleagues and members of the public to nominate individuals anonymously. Following the close of nominations at the end of March, entries were anonymously shortlisted by a committee primarily made up of IFtL governors, using four key criteria: impact, innovation, commitment and values.

Following shortlisting, the final stage of judging was handed to a panel of respected external judges, further reinforcing the integrity of the awards. The judging panel includes: Dr Fiona Aubrey‑Smith, a highly respected education leader, academic and advocate for pedagogy‑first approaches to digital learning John Murphy, former Chief Executive of Oasis Community Learning, where he led one of England’s largest multi‑academy trusts supporting over 32,000 pupils across disadvantaged communities Adele Wylie, Chief Executive of North Northamptonshire Council, a role she began in January 2024 following her unanimous appointment by Full Council The winners will be announced at a celebratory awards ceremony on 3 July, hosted at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre.

The evening promises to be a joyful celebration, bringing colleagues together to recognise excellence, share stories of impact and celebrate the values that unite Inspiring Futures through Learning.

The Colleague Awards mark the beginning of what Inspiring Futures through Learning hopes will become an annual tradition, shining a spotlight on the people who inspire futures through learning.