Architectural Practice of the Year

Sponsored by: BAM Construction

This award recognises an architectural practice that has demonstrated excellence in delivering innovative, functional, and impactful design projects for the education sector. Projects should highlight value delivery, client satisfaction, and a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, addressing contemporary challenges in education.

Client of the Year 

Sponsored by: Cundall

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same client in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission.

This award recognises the passion, direction, and innovation demonstrated by a School, Multi-Academy Trust, College, Local Authority, or University in shaping and delivering a successful new build or refurbishment project. The winning organisation will have played a proactive role in championing collaboration, creativity, and excellence, ensuring that the project meets the needs of students, staff, and the wider community.

Consultancy of the Year

Sponsored by: Morgan Sindall Construction

This award recognises a consultancy firm that has demonstrated outstanding expertise, innovation, and commitment in delivering strategic guidance and solutions for education projects. The winning consultancy will have played a pivotal role in shaping successful developments, working collaboratively with clients and project teams to enhance learning environments and ensure long-term value.

Contractor of the Year

Sponsored by: AtkinsRéalis 

This award recognises a main contractor that has demonstrated outstanding expertise, innovation, and commitment in delivering high-quality education buildings. The winning contractor will have played a key role in successfully managing and delivering projects that meet the needs of schools, colleges, and universities, prioritising collaboration, sustainability, and long-term value.

Pupil / Student Experience

Sponsored by: Galliford Try 

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a learning establishment that has undertaken a buildings or facilities investment that significantly enhances the pupil/student experience and positively impacts their wellbeing. The winning project will demonstrate a strong commitment to creating an engaging, inclusive, and inspiring environment that directly benefits students’ learning, development, and overall experience.

Inspiring Learning Spaces

Sponsored by: Nexus Associates

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises an outstanding new or refurbished learning space that provides an exceptional environment for teaching, learning, and student engagement. The winning project will demonstrate innovation, creativity, and excellence in design and delivery, enhancing the educational experience through thoughtful spatial planning, sustainability, and user-centred solutions.

Building Resilience: buildings that have stood the test of time

Sponsored by: Tilbury Douglas

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises an educational building that has demonstrated a long-lasting and positive impact, proving to be sustainable, adaptable, and resilient over time. The winning project will highlight a space that continues to serve its community effectively, whether as a newer building designed for longevity, a refurbishment of an older structure, or a building that has found new life as an educational facility.

Refurbishment of the Year

Sponsored by: MAC Construction Consultants 

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a refurbishment project that has significantly improved an existing education building, enhancing its functionality, sustainability, and overall user experience. The winning project will demonstrate a thoughtful, high-quality approach to revitalising educational spaces, ensuring they meet modern learning needs while preserving, repurposing, or enhancing the existing structure.

Project of the Year - Inclusive Design

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a single education project that has set a new benchmark for inclusivity, ensuring that all learners, including those with Special Educational Needs, disabilities, and diverse learning requirements, can fully engage with and benefit from the space. The winning project will demonstrate excellence in accessible design, user engagement, and the creation of a welcoming and equitable learning environment.

Project of the Year - Schools

Sponsored by: Arcadis 

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a single new build school project that has demonstrated excellence in design, construction, and impact. The winning project will showcase innovation, sustainability, and functionality, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of students, staff, and the wider school community.

Project of the Year - Colleges

Sponsored by: Space Zero

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a single new build college project that has demonstrated excellence in design, construction, and impact. The winning project will showcase innovation, sustainability, and functionality, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of students, staff, and the wider college community.

Project of the Year - Universities

Sponsored by: Gleeds

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a single new build university project that has demonstrated excellence in design, construction, and impact. The winning project will showcase innovation, sustainability, and functionality, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of students, staff, and the wider university community.

Project of the Year - International

Sponsored by: Chalk Creatives

Please note that if we receive duplicate entries of the same project in this category, we will be in touch to combine them. We encourage you to speak to the whole project team to enter a joint submission for projects.

This award recognises a single new build school, college, or university project outside the UK and Ireland that has made a significant impact on the educational or research experience. The winning project will demonstrate excellence in design, construction, and functionality, ensuring it meets the specific educational objectives of its institution and enhances learning, teaching, or research environments.

Education Modular Provider of the Year

Sponsored by: Apteriors 

This award recognises a modular provider that has demonstrated excellence in delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative modular solutions for the education sector. The award celebrates providers who go beyond Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to create learning environments that enhance student engagement, well-being, and academic outcomes.

Department for Education Sustainability Award

Sponsored by: eEnergy

The Department for Education Sustainability Award celebrates the collective efforts of schools and colleges in creating a more sustainable future. This award recognises institutions that have taken innovative, measurable, and impactful steps to embed sustainability within their operations, curriculum, and community.

The winning school or college will receive a £2,500 award to further support sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability is not just about energy efficiency or carbon reduction—it is about creating an environmentally responsible culture that considers air quality, travel, biodiversity, and the physical and mental wellbeing of students and staff. Schools and colleges play a vital role in preparing young people for a sustainable future, and this award seeks to highlight those making meaningful progress.