Winner: Zelia Attzs

The judges were impressed by Zelia’s energy, passion, and dedication, and by her leadership and impact while making drama an integral part of school life. She has achieved remarkable results, securing commitment and personal growth from the students, and cultivated a safe environment for experiential learning and using drama as a springboard. She enjoys huge respect among pupils, senior leaders, and external audiences.

Highly Commended: Nick O'Brien

The judges were impressed by Nick’s ability to inspire and engage thousands of students, teachers, and practitioners (globally) through his workshops and publications, often bringing Stanislavski’s techniques to life in a relatable way. They also recognised his dedication to making drama accessible to young people in underrepresented communities, and his impact on drama practice and CPD.

FINALISTS

• Jackie Cobham

• Tracy Dorrington

• Beau-Jessica Roberts

Winner: BB Broadway @ The Turbine Theatre

The judges were impressed by this initiative’s inclusivity measures in programming, having gender-neutral roles and offering an open and accepting space. Its environmental and sustainability awareness and long-term goals to change the musical theatre education industry were also highly compelling. The initiative's comprehensive approach to supporting children and families left a huge impression.

FINALISTS

• Ludwig Theatre Arts, for Les Misérables School Edition

• St Mary's College, Hull, for Hull Performance Academy

• The Beaconsfield School, for Beaconsfield Performing Arts

• Theatre Peckham, for Academy training programme

• Trafalgar Entertainment Trust, for Summer Youth Projects

Winner: Buxton Opera House, for Satellite Project

The judges admired this initiative's commitment to outreach, tailored teacher support, and inclusive, free provision, particularly for rural and isolated communities. The long-term engagement strategy and positive feedback from participants indicated a holistic approach to providing pathways and high-quality music and drama workshops for young people in disadvantaged areas.

FINALISTS

• Barnet Education Arts Trust, for Infant Music Festival

• MishMash Productions and Nottingham City Libraries, for Ruby's Worry

• Performatots Pre-School

• Speech Bubbles, for Drama for Communication

• The Birmingham Rep and Birmingham Early Years Network, for Early Years Project

• The Grange Festival, for Wild Hampshire Project

Winner: The Big Reveal East Kent Orchestra,

for Voices in the Wilderness

The judges were impressed by this project’s inclusive, empowering, and ambitious approach to a wide range of performing arts. It was created with young people, not for them, and included SEND pupils of varying abilities, including with profound and multiple learning difficulties. It also demonstrated a commendable partnership between schools, artists and staff, and a focus on sustainability and legacy, ensuring long-term benefits for participants and schools.

Highly Commended: Create Music, for Orchestra 360

The judges admired this initiative’s focus on accessibility, inclusivity, free participation, and openness at every level. They recognised the empowerment and creativity afforded to participants (including opportunities to work collaboratively) and a long-term vision that included more public performances and outreach to special schools.

FINALISTS

• Born2Sing Academy

• Drake Music Scotland, for Digital Orchestra: Youth

• HMDT Music, for Music Treehouse

• Lancashire Music Service

 • The OHMI Trust, for OHMI Connect

• Welsh National Oper, for Opera Tutti

Winner: Catherine Williams

The judges were impressed by Catherine's compassionate and impactful approach. They read glowing accounts of her kindness, dedication, and ability to inspire students, and of her skills as an empathetic mentor who creates fun as well as support in lessons. Her innovative teaching methods as a skilled percussionist were highly praised. The judges all felt they wanted to learn the drums with Catherine!

FINALISTS

• Colin Bellworthy

• Alberto Christodoulou

• Lucica Trita

• Scott Whitefield

Winner: Carly Palmer

The judges were really impressed by Carly’s transformational impact on the music curriculum at St Peter's School. This includes her dedication to inclusivity, a high level of student participation (with 75% of students joining the choir), the introduction of an inter-generational choir, and an innovative approach to music education that fosters a strong rapport and connection with students. Her long-term, positive influence on the school community were impossible to ignore.

FINALISTS

• Alphonso Archer

• Vicki Cooper

• Hannah Kaye-Shepheard

• Sam Massey

• Karen Tweddle

• Ollie Tunmer

Sponsored by:

WINNER: Droylsden Academy

The judges admired how Droylsden Academy offers an inclusive, wide-reaching opportunity for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. Musical theatre is well-integrated into the school community, with strong participation and a positive impact on behaviour and achievement. The academy provides excellent progression routes into musical theatre and fosters involvement across various areas, from backstage roles to fundraising and marketing. There is a focus on supporting students academically and personally, and the programme is driven by passionate staff and by healthy collaboration from multiple departments.

Highly Commended: Caister Academy

The judges admired Caister’s provision, which is marked by an inclusive approach, strong focus on progression, and engagement of students with a wide range of abilities and backgrounds. With a high percentage of Pupil Premium and SEND students participating, the school offers excellent opportunities for these groups to develop. It also has clear pathways for student involvement and leadership in all aspects of production. Significantly, its commitment to high-quality performances is also self-evident.

FINALISTS:

• Ballard School, Hampshire

• CAPA Juniors, Trinity Academy Cathedral, Wakefield

• CTA Productions, Fareham

• Farlingaye High School, Woodbridge

• Westcliff High School for Girls, Westcliff-On-Sea

• Windsor Learning Partnership Senior Schools

Winner: Get Into Theatre and ATG Entertainment Creative Learning, for Work in Theatre Teacher Toolkit

The judges were extremely impressed by the comprehensiveness of this resource while delivering careers-based learning, addressing knowledge gaps for both teachers and students. With its detailed lesson plans, practical exercises, interactive tools and visually engaging materials, the toolkit serves as an inspiring and user-friendly resource tailored for today’s students.

Highly Commended: Royal Shakespeare Company, for RSC Shakespeare Learning Zone

The judges were impressed by this online resource that combines basic facts with in-depth analysis and interactive content tailored for different learning levels. Developed with input from educators, this user-friendly platform allows students to follow personalised pathways, and it supports active, rehearsal-based learning with actor-led demonstrations and RSC performances.

FINALISTS

• Linden Walcott-Burton and Nick Hern Books, for The Drama Workshop Leader

• Methuen Drama, for 200 Themes for Devising Theatre with 11–18 Year Olds

• MN Awards, for Graded Examinations in Screen Acting Specification & Teacher Resource

• SubjectResources.com, for Devising 101

Winner: Performing International Plays, for School Workshops

The judges were impressed by PIP’s workshops and open-access website that addressed a lack of global majority texts in schools and theatres, offering students representation through contemporary translations of plays from six continents. The aims to motivate students and drive growth and sustainability, including through CPD and partnership-working held significant long-term potential.

FINALISTS

• Buxton Opera House, for Work Experience – Theatre in Education Tour

• Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation, for Shakespeare Schools Festival

• Don't Write Me Off (DWMO), for Actively SeeK.I.N.G.

• Nick Hern Books, for Multiplay Drama: Season 2

• Polka Theatre, for The Freefalling Project

• Royal Shakespeare Company, for RSC Associate Schools Programme

• The Birmingham Rep Theatre, for Fridge City

Winner: Paul Harris, for How to sight-read

The judges admired Paul Harris’s ability to combine scientific insights, practical strategies, and innovative tools into a resource that enhances sight-reading for all levels. Key highlights included the book’s clear and concise structure, with easy-to-digest tips; its focus on solutions, addressing common challenges and leaving exam discussions to the end; and a supporting app – an inclusive resource for students and teachers.

FINALISTS

• Edward Caswell and Peter Hunt, for SingCircle: 111 rounds for singing by heart

• Chris Haigh, for Beginning Folk Fiddle

• Nathan Holder, for The World of Music: and How it Moves Us

• Nathan Holder and Rachel Shapey, for Listen & Celebrate Key Stage 3: Activities to enrich and diversify Key Stage 3 music

• Kit Massey, for Music Theory for Kids

• Mark Wilson and Paul Wood, for Stringtastic

Sponsored by:

Winner: BBC Philharmonic, for Musical Storyland

The judges were impressed by this project’s ability to combine high quality, inclusivity, and thoughtful educational design. The highly engaging content and storytelling, featuring western classical instruments, sign-language, and authentic representation, includes films that are visually and audibly stunning. In addition, the comprehensive teacher resources helpfully serve curriculums across all four nations.

FINALISTS

• DaCapo Primary Music, for DaCapo Online

• ISM Trust, for Breaking the Singing Barrier

• Leicestershire Music, for Primary Beatbox Unit of Work

• MusicFirst, for OGenPlus

• Opera North, Orchestras Live, AMP Music and Skipton Town Hall, for ON Tour

• Presto Music Production and Emofront in association with Sparky Animation, for Rhythm Warriors Piano Zone

• The Music Teachers' Association and Patrick Johns, for Teaching Notes podcast

Sponsored by:

Winner: Music Masters, for Flagship Schools Programme

The judges were most impressed by the initiative's ability to provide music-making opportunities to young people who might not typically access them. They recognised the programme’s impact on social and academic skills beyond music, how music was being tailored to reflect cultural backgrounds, and the significant involvement of families. This result fostered a lifelong love of music.

FINALISTS

• City of London Schools and Wren 300, for Raising the Roof

• Come and Sing Company

• Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company

• MuseCool, for MusicOnWheels

• National Orchestra for All

• Warwick - A Singing Town

Winner: Treviglas Academy

The judges were impressed by this school’s strong partnerships with prestigious organisations; its leadership in Drama, providing support for 12 schools with varying needs; its wide range of extracurricular activities; its commitment to innovation and outreach; and its growing community and national recognition, as reflected in the strong letters of support.

FINALISTS

• Aldwickbury School, Harpenden

• Salterford House School, Nottingham

• Shenley Brook End School, Milton Keynes

• The Beaconsfield School, Beaconsfield

Sponsored by:

Winner: The Winston Churchill School

The judges agreed that Music defines School 21, and they were impressed by the exceptional quality and variety of its provision across the age range, in a relatively brief period of time. Located in Stratford, East London, with many pupils on free school meals, the school has become a musical beacon in its community. The judges were also impressed by the many heartfelt endorsements from parents, who acknowledged the professionalism and commitment of teachers.

Highly Commended:  Bristol Cathedral Choir School

The judges admired the Cathedral Choir School’s depth and breadth in offering opportunities to all students, including free wind instrument lessons for the first year and three hours of music per week at Key Stage 3. Its serious commitment to music is exemplified by the wide range of ensembles providing clear progression routes, high GCSE enrolment, and focus on decolonizing the curriculum.

FINALISTS

• Lancing College

• Leighton Park School, Reading

• Nottingham Girls' High School GDST

• Sandbach School

• Thetford Academy, Norfolk

Rocksteady Music School

Winner: London Sinfonietta for Composition Challenges

The judges were impressed by the inclusivity of this project, particularly its ability to reach and support pupils from deprived areas and those with protected characteristics. Also, by its high-quality resources, level of student engagement and creativity, and access to professional musicians, deepening students’ connection to live music. It excels at making Composition (a scary topic for some) child-led, vibrant, and accessible for music specialists and non-specialists.

Highly Commended: Powerjam Band Project

The judges were impressed by the Project’s ability to support young people facing significant barriers to music-making. They recognised the authentic opportunities for young people to perform and have their music showcased, and the success of the non-profit record label, its international reach, and the impact on young people’s confidence.

FINALISTS

• AmaSing

• Hertfordshire Music Service, for Elective Home Education Music Programme

• Songs Signs & Sounds, for Music & Wellbeing

Sponsored by:

Winner: Brass Bands England

I’m giving this award to a charity and its staff for the outstanding work they do in supporting community music-making, preserving our musical heritage, and supporting instrumental music teaching in schools. They provide a crucial link and a comprehensive service to our sector that ranges from fundraising and safeguarding advice to organising festivals and training events.

Phil Croydon

Editor of Music Teacher Magazine

Sponsored by:

Winner: Theatre Royal Stratford East

This year, the team at Drama & Theatre magazine have chosen to highlight an institution that seems to do it all: from Youth Theatre groups to community projects helping residents of all ages get involved in theatre-based activities, to a massively popular schools programme allowing children to explore the joys of theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes. This organisation offers a broad range of avenues for its community to engage with drama, completely free of charge, and it provides valuable resources for students and teachers, making sure that theatre truly is something for everyone.

Drama & Theatre Magazine Team

Winner: Christopher Lawrence

The testimonials we received highlighted his extraordinary contributions to drama education over six decades, emphasizing his inspirational role as a teacher, researcher, and advocate. He enjoys national and international influence in classroom research, drama pedagogy and teacher development, and leaves a legacy of groundbreaking initiatives such as ‘in-role’ learning or support structures for London drama teachers. His ability to build and sustain networks, associations, and organizations advocating for drama and the arts is unparalleled.

Winner: Emeritus Professor Martin Fautley

The judges give this award to a person for their extensive research in music education; for their many books and journal articles covering composition, assessment, and practice-led research; and for their significant impact on school music teachers and teacher trainers in the UK and abroad. Crucially, he provides a crucial bridge between research, policy, and practice. Close colleagues, in addition, describe him as unflinching in generously giving his time and support.