Key Points
- Birkenhead Park School has been nominated for Most Inspirational Secondary School at the Educate Awards 2026.
- This category will reward secondary schools with outstanding achievement during the academic year 2025/26.
- The judges will be looking for evidence of innovative practice, impact, enrichment, inclusion, belonging and whole-child development.
- The school has launched initiatives such as BPS University, Ignite Speeches, The Big Read, oracy and careers education.
- There were over 75 educational visits organised last year and the school runs over 30 after-school clubs per week.
- In 2024/25, the school achieved the most improved attendance in the Wirral.
- At the Educate Awards last year, Ms Tisdale, BePART Director of Attendance and Parental Engagement, won the award of Support Star of the Year.
- An Ofsted inspection report from recently praised that pupils’ experiences were “dramatically improved” and mentioned high expectations, strong relationships, good behaviour and sense of belonging.
- Mrs Dawes, Headteacher, said that nomination is a testament to the hard work and ambition of our whole school community.
- The Educate Awards ceremony will take place at Liverpool Cathedral on Friday 13th November.
Birkenhead (Liverpool standard) October 14, 2026 – The Birkenhead Park School has been shortlisted for Most Inspirational Secondary School at this year’s Educate Awards, placing the Wirral school among institutions recognised for exceptional achievement during the 2025-26 academic year.
As reported by Birkenhead News, the award category celebrates secondary schools that have shown innovative practice, measurable impact, meaningful enrichment opportunities and a commitment to inclusion, belonging and whole-child development.
The shortlisting follows a period of sustained development at the school, where leaders say pupils have access to opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. According to Birkenhead News, these have included BPS University, Ignite Speeches, The Big Read, oracy work and careers education.
What has the school achieved?
The school’s submission highlights a broad programme of enrichment. Birkenhead News reports that The Birkenhead Park School organised more than 75 educational visits during the last academic year and runs more than 30 extracurricular clubs each week.
The school has also reported progress in academic achievement, attendance and outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Attendance has been a particular area of focus. As reported by Birkenhead News, The Birkenhead Park School achieved the most improved attendance on the Wirral in the 2024-25 academic year.
That work was recognised at last year’s Educate Awards, where Ms Tisdale, BePART Director of Attendance and Parental Engagement, was named Support Star of the Year. According to Birkenhead News, the award acknowledged her contribution to supporting pupils and families through the school’s attendance team.
What did Ofsted say?
The shortlisting comes shortly after a recent Ofsted inspection, which Birkenhead News says highlighted significant progress at the school.
Inspectors reportedly said pupils’ experiences had “improved dramatically”. They also recognised high expectations, strong relationships, respectful behaviour and pupils’ sense of belonging.
The school described its journey as that of “a school transformed”, attributing the change to dedicated leadership and teamwork. Birkenhead News reports that this collaborative approach continues to drive progress across all areas of school life.
What role has the trust played?
The recognition also reflects the work of The BePART Trust alongside the school’s leaders and staff. According to Birkenhead News, the trust has supported the school’s transformation through high expectations, a shared approach to teaching and learning, and specialist support in areas including attendance.
The school says this partnership has helped create an environment in which pupils are supported to achieve and feel that they belong.
What did the headteacher say?
Mrs Dawes, Headteacher at The Birkenhead Park School, welcomed the shortlisting.
As quoted by Birkenhead News, she said: “This is a wonderful recognition of the hard work, dedication and ambition of our whole school community. It is incredibly rewarding to see the difference our work is making, particularly when our students are engaged, growing in confidence and making the most of the opportunities available to them.”
She added:
“We are proud of the huge progress our school has made and, most importantly, of the young people at the heart of everything we do. To be shortlisted for such a prestigious award is a fantastic achievement, and we are looking forward to attending the ceremony in November.”
When is the Educate Awards ceremony?
The Educate Awards ceremony will take place at Liverpool Cathedral on Friday 13 November.
The event will bring together schools from across the region to celebrate achievements in education. The Most Inspirational Secondary School category is intended to recognise schools whose work has produced a demonstrable difference for pupils.
Background of the development
The Educate Awards recognise schools across the North West for achievement, innovation and impact in education. The Most Inspirational Secondary School category focuses on schools that have demonstrated exceptional progress during the 2025-26 academic year, with judges considering innovation, measurable outcomes, enrichment, inclusion and whole-child development.
For The Birkenhead Park School, the shortlisting follows a period in which attendance, academic outcomes and provision for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND have improved. The school’s attendance work previously received recognition when Ms Tisdale was named Support Star of the Year at the previous Educate Awards.
The school is part of The BePART Trust, which has provided support on teaching, learning and attendance. A recent Ofsted inspection also recorded substantial improvement, with inspectors highlighting pupils’ improved experiences, behaviour, relationships and sense of belonging.
Prediction: what could this mean for pupils and families?
For pupils and families in Birkenhead, the shortlisting may reinforce confidence that the school’s recent improvements are being recognised beyond its own community. If the school wins or is highly commended in November, it could strengthen its local reputation and support efforts to attract families seeking a secondary school with a strong focus on attendance, inclusion and enrichment.
For current pupils, continued investment in clubs, educational visits, oracy and careers education may provide more opportunities to develop confidence and skills beyond examination results. The school’s focus on disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND also suggests that families may expect ongoing attention to support for pupils who need additional help.
For staff and the wider school community, the recognition could support morale and validate the collaborative work between school leaders, teachers, support staff and The BePART Trust. The outcome of the awards ceremony on 13 November will determine whether the school converts its shortlisting into a category win.
