The Tes Schools Awards 2025: The spotlight your work deserves

The Tes Schools Awards are back for 2025! With 23 categories, our awards are free to enter for all state and independent schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We bring individuals and schools together to celebrate excellence across the whole education sector in one inclusive national event, on Friday 20 June. To learn more about the awards and the impact of winning from past winners, keep reading!

The reason we do the Tes Schools Awards…

Seventeen years ago, the Tes Awards were created to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the triumphs and successes happening in independent and state schools. Today, it’s more important than ever to recognise the hard work, passion and dedication that educators, support staff and school communities bring to school every day.? You can find out more and enter the Tes Schools Awards here.

?Watch the initial reactions of some of last year’s winners.

If you’re wondering when the Tes Awards for International Schools will be taking place, they’ll be launching in August; you can register your interest in these awards here.

What does the Tes Schools Awards entail…?

UK state and independent schools across the UK are invited to apply for the Tes Schools Awards between Monday 3 February to Friday 7 March. There are 23 categories this year, you can discover the different categories and criteria here. ?

After this, our esteemed panel of 23 independent judges, ?made up of long-serving head teachers and educational leaders, who bring a wealth of experience and insight to the selection process, will review every nomination and create a shortlist revealed on Friday 25 April. ??The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Friday 20 June. ?The judges' dedication and meticulous attention to detail, fairness and commitment to recognising true champions will ensure that each winner will be chosen based on their exceptional contributions to education.

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What happens at the Tes Schools Awards ceremony and gala dinner?

The Tes School Awards, the biggest night in the education calendar and our favourite time of the year, will take place again on Friday 20 June, at the prestigious Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London.

The night is all about celebrations, and what better way to kick-start the celebrations than a champagne reception, where you’ll mingle with the best in education!

Before the awards ceremony takes place, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious 3-course meal, and meet the host for the evening, last year, this was Alex Horne and The Horne Section! Guests also enjoyed an incredible live performance of The Lion King by the Disney Theatrical Productions.

Once the winners have been announced, it’s time to dance the night away, as you join the DJ and the rest of the guests on the dancefloor.

If you want a sneak peek of last year's amazing event, check out last year's gallery here.

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New for 2025

Our awards reflect the education landscape. Last year, we introduced two awards tailored specifically for multi-academy trusts. We had a great response from MATs, and so this year, we’re happy to announce we’re launching a brand-new category, ‘Inclusive Trust of the Year, ’ bringing the total number of categories aimed at MATs to three.?

o?? Inclusive Trust of the Year (new for 2025)

o?? Trust of the year 10 schools or more

o?? Trust of the year 9 schools or fewer

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What past winners have said they have seen/are doing since winning a Tes Schools Award:

• Increased media attention such as local radio, TV channels, magazines and newspapers
• Increased confidence and pride from parents and the rest of the school community
• Increased requests from surrounding schools on how they achieved what they did in each category
• Sharing best practices with other schools
• Helped with the recruitment of new staff
• Increased enrolments across all year groups
• Led to new partnerships with other organisations

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What past winners have said about the awards:

“To anyone considering entering the next Tes Schools Awards, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. The application process itself is a valuable reflection on your achievements and goals. Winning is an incredible honour that brings well-deserved recognition to your hard work and dedication. The impact on your school community can be transformative, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations. It's a celebration of excellence that you will cherish forever, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the positive difference you are making in education.”

Neetu Sadhwani?- Subject Lead of the Year Award?Winner 2024

Head of Languages Faculty Avanti House Secondary School & Subject Lead for Harrow Collegiate Alliance??

"It’s so amazing for an individual to be recognised for their personal impact, because I don’t think anybody in our schools or colleges realises on a day-today basis the impact they’re having. And to be celebrated, selected, shortlisted, commended, as many of the winners are today, for the things that people just think are ordinary things but the reality is are absolutely extraordinary, is why we’re all here really.? So I think for any CEO in my shoes, I would say get your applications in and make sure that you have those amazing staff in your school celebrated.”

Winner of the Trust Team of the Year - 9 schools or fewer.

Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Group Principal and CEO, London & South East Education Group

"Our boarding programme is exceptional and we’re so excited to receive this prestigious award. We’re so lucky to have such a great team working together which makes this so much more rewarding."

Boarding School of the Year 2024

Simon Heard, Deputy Master, Haileybury

“The evening itself lived far beyond my expectations, even just being in the grand hall made us all feel special and recognised, in my ten years of teaching I have never seen nor attended anything like it. From the host, the entertainment to meeting other educators from all over the country has been the highlight of my teaching career."

Excellence in Creative Arts 2024

Fraser Johnston, St Mungo’s High School

To find out more about past winners' experiences, check out our testimonial page here.

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Why should you enter?

> Gain recognition: for all your hard work from leading educational professionals and the wider teaching community

> Showcase Excellence: Elevate yours, your team or your schools’ profile on a national scale

> Inspire Others: Share your success story and inspire other schools, teams and individuals

> Boost Morale: Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of your school and colleagues

> Attend an unmissable evening: enjoy a celebratory gala dinner at the prestigious Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane, London