Celebrating Excellence From The Bolton News Education Awards 2025

The Bolton Learning Partnership is proud to celebrate this year’s Bolton News Education Awards, recognising the inspiring work of students, staff and schools across our secondary school community. These winners remind us of the extraordinary impact education can have when built on dedication, compassion and belief. Thank you to all for your continued dedication to the #19K. To view the awards visit this link.

School of the Year – Little Lever

Little Lever’s journey is one of the most remarkable transformations in Bolton. In 2018, the school faced significant challenge. Staff united behind a powerful purpose: to help every person achieve things they never thought they could.

Through determination and collective ambition, Little Lever School has become not only one of the most improved schools in the region but one of the highest performing. This year, the school achieved its best ever GCSE results, with performance improving for every group of students and outcomes now significantly above national averages.

This award celebrates the entire Little Lever team, whose belief in their students has reshaped futures across the community.

Well done to the team at Little Lever High School 👏 👏 👏

Winner – Specialist Provision Rumworth School

Rumworth School, one of the largest secondary special schools in the country, continues to shine through its inclusive ethos of Be kind, Be fair, Be safe & Be proud.

Serving 370 students with a wide range of SEND, Rumworth provides a calm, purposeful environment where young people thrive. Its 91.4% attendance rate reflects high levels of engagement and pastoral care.

This year marked major developments in the Sixth Form, including the launch of five new specialist pathways, Empower, Lumina, Vitalise, Greencraft and Culinary Vista and the opening of a new building to support independence and aspiration.

Rumworth School also celebrates holistic development through Scouts, charity partnerships, and horticulture projects judged by RHS experts.

With 100% of Year 11 and Year 14 students achieving external accreditations, increased GCSE entries, and prestigious achievements such as the Autism Advanced Accreditation Specialist Award, Rumworth continues to lead the way in specialist education.

Many congratulations to Rumworth School, the Specialist Provision of the Year 🌟

Pupil of the Year – Dylan

This award shines a light on a young person whose growth and resilience have inspired everyone around him. Dylan joined Kearsley Academy in 2023 as a shy student, but through hard work and courage, he has developed into a confident, compassionate and determined young man.

Despite facing major challenges, Dylan has never allowed obstacles to define him. His humour and warmth brighten the school, and his perseverance sets an example for all.

Dylan shows what is possible when positivity and resilience come together.

We are proud to celebrate Dylan as Pupil of the Year 👏

Teacher of the Year – Mrs Gardiner

This year’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Gardiner from Westhoughton High School is described as someone who doesn’t just teach, she transforms. She champions students who may feel overlooked and helps them see strength they didn’t know they had. Her energy inspires students to believe in themselves, often for the first time.

She places compassion at the centre of her work, shaping futures with quiet, powerful influence. Her impact extends far beyond lessons; it changes lives.

We are delighted to recognise the inspirational Mrs. Gardiner as Teacher of the Year 🌟

Support Worker of the Year – Diane Ault

For many young people at St James’s High School Diane Ault is a lifeline. Supporting more than forty students facing profound challenges, she ensures every child feels seen, safe and valued. Diane approaches each day with warmth, humour and unwavering commitment, whether finding a lost bag, fixing a uniform mishap, or comforting a student in crisis. Students describe her impact simply: