The shortlist for this year’s Raising Rochdale Education Awards has been announced.
There's less than a fortnight to go until local educators are recognised for their outstanding contributions to the lives of children and young people.
The awards, which take place on Friday, 20 November 2026 at Rochdale Town Hall, celebrate the achievements of local teachers, tutors, support staff and other education professionals who help to give children and young people the best start in life.
Now in its 3rd year, the event continues to grow from strength to strength with a record number of 896 nominations submitted this year.
Eighteen awards will be presented on the night, including Raising Rochdale School or College of the Year and Leadership Team of the Year.
Other highly competitive categories include Primary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year and Post-16 Tutor of the Year.
Winners will be announced in front of a packed out hall full of local education professionals, sponsors, family and friends.
Event organiser and headteacher of Cardinal Langley RC High School, Andrew Bridson, said:
“The standard of nominations this year has been exceptional and it has been wonderful seeing a record number of individuals and teams being recognised for the difference they make every single day.
“These awards are about celebrating the people who inspire, support and empower our children and young people, professionals who often go above and beyond in their roles to make a lasting difference. I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted and I look forward to celebrating with them on the night."
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for education and skills, added:
“These awards shine a light on the incredible people and teams who work tirelessly to support children and young people across our borough in our schools and colleges.
"Every nomination tells a story of dedication and commitment to supporting our children to be the best they can be and so I wish all of them the very best of luck on the night.”
Shortlisted nominees were put forward by pupils, parents, carers, governors and school staff for the efforts they put in every day to go above and beyond in their roles.
Full shortlist
Commitment to Inclusion (Sponsored by Dale Futures CIC)
- Holly Boardman, The Nursery: SEND
- St Anne's Church of England Academy
- Emily Montague, St James' Church of England Primary School
Personal Development (Sponsored by Rochdale Training)
- Edgar Wood Academy
- Newhouse Academy
- Children's University, Altus Education Partnership
Commitment to Science Education (Sponsored by The Ogden Trust)
- Natasha Imran, Kingsway Park High School
- Gary Higham, Kingsway Park High School
- Science Department, Oulder Hill Leadership Academy
Sustainability Project of the Year (Sponsored by Albany Products)
- Heybrook Primary School
- Climate Action Group, Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School
- Animal Management Department, Hopwood Hall College
Commitment to Sport (Sponsored by M&Y Maintenance and Construction)
- Rachel Reader, Rochdale Rounders League
- Simon Lewis, Harwood Park Primary School
- Robert Kershaw, St Anne's Church of England Academy
Primary Support Star of the Year (Sponsored by APEX Specialist Education)
- Usma Ahmed, Heybrook Primary School
- Laura Walton, Bowlee Park Community Primary School
- Jacqueline Smith, St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Community Engagement (Sponsored by Rochdale Council of Mosques)
- Children's University, Altus Education Partnership
- Window Eid Project, Heybrook Primary School
- Beeyond Project, St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Secondary Support Star of the Year (Sponsored by Life Changing Education)
- Dr David Penney, Matthew Moss High School
- Rachel Pedley, Oulder Hill Leadership Academy
- Jodie Fielding, Cardinal Langley RC High School
Cultural Education (Sponsored by Rochdale Development Agency)
- Joanne Reynolds
- Mohammed Shahid, Lantern Academy
- Wardle Academy Music Department
Post-16 Support Star of the Year (Sponsored by Dunsters Farm)
- Sam McCall, Hopwood Hall College
- Wendy Farrell, Ed for All
- Carol Cain, Redwood
Governor of the Year (Sponsored by Mysonpages.com)
- Julie Clarke, St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Balderstone
- Lisa Almond, Caldershaw Primary School
- Rachel Florey, St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Primary Teacher of the Year (Sponsored by Tradewind Recruitment)
- Gemma Chapman, Elm Wood Primary School
- Natasha Anson, Hopwood Community Primary School
- Erica Fletcher, St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
Leadership Team of the Year (Sponsored by Vimto (Nichols PLC)
- Falinge Park High School
- Hopwood Hall College
- Oak Haven
Secondary Teacher of the Year (Sponsored by Tradewind Recruitment)
- Sadiq Bhikha, Matthew Moss High School
- Liam Jones, Dixons Middleton Academy
- Danielle James, Redwood
Post-16 Tutor of the Year (Sponsored by AAA Pest Control)
- Colette Borrill, Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School
- Emma Hibbert, Hopwood Hall College
- Kate Merridew, Rochdale Sixth Form College
Mental Health and Wellbeing (Sponsored by Top Marks Education)
- Donna Becconsall, St Anne's Church of England Academy
- Emily Percival, Littleborough Community Primary School
- Ryan Taylor, Falinge Park High School
Raising Rochdale School or College of the Year (Sponsored by Life Changing Education)
- Brimrod Community Primary School
- Kentmere Primary Academy
- Redwood
Lifetime Achievement (Sponsored by KPMG LLP)
- Mathew Lynch, Falinge Park High School
- Lindsay Torrance, Castleton Primary School
- John Mikulin, Hopwood Hall College
- Louisa Ramsbottom, Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School
- Colin Lambert, Edgar Wood Academy