University of Birmingham School has been shortlisted for this year’s Tes Schools Awards, which celebrate the UK’s most inspiring teachers and schools from both the state and independent sectors, following a record-breaking number of nominations.
Since 2009, the Tes Schools Awards have celebrated the achievements of school staff and institutions across the UK. Free to enter, they bring together state and independent schools from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in one inclusive national event, recognising excellence across the education sector.
The awards shine a spotlight on the outstanding work taking place across schools, celebrating the individuals and teams making a meaningful impact on pupils, staff and their wider communities. This year’s awards are supported by Cloud Technology Partner, Amazon Web Services, which will sponsor the ‘Best Use of Technology’ category, recognising schools driving innovation across teaching and learning.
The shortlist was selected by a panel of expert judges, including experienced school leaders and education specialists. This year’s awards feature 23 categories spanning all areas of school life, from leadership and teaching to pupil outcomes and wellbeing.
Two new categories have been introduced for 2026 – Teacher Development of the Year and Pupil Enrichment School of the Year – reflecting the growing importance of both staff development and a well-rounded student experience.
Colin Townsend, Principal of the University of Birmingham School, relays pride in this shortlist recognition for all members of the School community. He explains:
“A core part of our vision for education is to be inclusive for all. This rests on several founding and sustained principles, and intent. One principle sees our School forging its identity as a School for the city of Birmingham – a city rich in difference and diversity. It is also a city where the risk of disenfranchisement and potential to be an outsider, not least through financial hardship, disadvantage, or restricted opportunity is high. Through our daily work we seek to challenge that. Another crucial underpinning principle of our School is an active, planned, and focused approach to character education – and the development of character and virtue. Much as all Schools know that mathematics or English can and indeed must be taught, we take a view that character can and should be also. From this defining ethos, students, staff, and families commit to a deepening understanding of moral, intellectual, performance, and civic virtues. Empathy, and an understanding of how to enact it, for example, supports strongly being able to see things from the perspective of others – to be curious about and appreciative of difference – to understand – to include. Civic virtues such as community, teamwork, civility, and social action propel a sense of ‘we’, not ‘me’. Through such an underpinning position, we vocalise that all are upstanders and strive for no one to be an outsider.”
Rod Williams, CEO of Tes, commented:
“This year’s shortlist showcases the exceptional standard of entries across the Tes Schools Awards, reflecting the breadth of impact being delivered in UK education. Each category highlights schools and individuals who are not only driving meaningful change within their own settings but also setting a benchmark for the wider sector. The Tes Schools Awards are designed to recognise and elevate this work, celebrating those making a measurable difference to pupils, staff and communities across the UK – and with a record number of nominations received this year, it clearly reinforces the strength and impact being delivered across the UK education sector.”
This year’s awards will be hosted by award-winning comedian, writer and presenter Katherine Ryan, with winners announced at a gala ceremony on 19th June at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
View the full shortlist here: www.tes.com/schools-awards/uk
