Education Estates® People's Awards Categories

Emerging Talent

The Emerging Talent Award recognises exceptional talent and demonstrates excellent potential for the future. This award is open for entries or nominations for someone that has recently left Education or the Armed Forces (for example) and is within the first 0-24 months of their career.

Entry Criteria

1. Role & Contribution (30%)

Prompt:

• What is the nominee’s role, and what have they contributed since joining your organisation or the wider sector?
• Provide a clear overview of their responsibilities and outline early signs of their impact or promise.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

2. Initiative & Learning (25%)

Prompt:

• How has the nominee shown initiative, adaptability or a desire to learn?
• Share examples of how they’ve approached new challenges, embraced learning opportunities or demonstrated resilience.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

3. Collaboration & Values (20%)

Prompt:

• How has the nominee worked with others or contributed to a positive culture?
• This might include teamwork, supporting others, reflecting your organisation’s values or bringing fresh perspective.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

4. Future Potential (25%)

Prompt:

• Why do you believe this person is one to watch for the future?
• Tell us what makes them stand out among their peers and how you see their contribution developing over time.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

Supporting evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a client or from team members
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

To sponsor this category, please contact Rebecca or call us on 01892 351626.

Estates Professional of the Year

The Estates Professionals of the Year award recognises exceptional talent and application leading to significant achievement in good estate management.

Entry Criteria

1. Role and Responsibilities (25%)

Prompt:

• What is the nominee’s role, and what do they contribute to their organisation or the sector?
• Give an overview of their remit, key responsibilities and the context in which they work.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

2. Impact and Outcomes (35%)

Prompt:

• What achievements in the last 12 months make this nominee stand out?
• Highlight estate improvements, innovations, or outcomes delivered through projects, strategy or operational management. Include metrics, where possible.

Word limit: Up to 350 words

3. Problem-Solving and Initiative (20%)

Prompt:

• How has the nominee tackled challenges or introduced new ways of working?
• Share examples of resourcefulness, leadership in difficult situations, or how they’ve overcome limitations.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

4. Collaboration and Culture (20%)

Prompt:

• How does the nominee support others and contribute to a positive estate culture?
• Consider their influence on colleagues, contractors, or the wider team. This may include leadership, mentoring or a values-driven approach.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

Supporting evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a client or from team members
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

Sponsored by: 

Apprentice of the Year

The Apprentice of the Year Award recognises an outstanding apprentice working within the education, estates or construction sector.

Entry Criteria

1. Role and Development Journey (25%)

Prompt:

• What apprenticeship is the nominee undertaking, and what does their role involve?

• Describe their pathway, responsibilities and how they have developed since starting their apprenticeship. Include context about the organisation and the environment in which they are working.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

2. Contribution and Impact (30%)

Prompt:

• What has this apprentice achieved in the past 12 months?

• Provide examples of projects supported, responsibilities taken on, or measurable contributions made to their team or organisation. Include outcomes or feedback where possible.

Word limit: Up to 350 words

3. Attitude and Commitment to Learning (25%)

Prompt:

• How has the nominee demonstrated dedication to learning and professional growth?

• Share evidence of initiative, resilience, skills development or how they have applied learning in practice. You may include academic performance, mentoring relationships or additional responsibilities taken on.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

4. Future Potential (20%)

Prompt:

• Why is this apprentice one to watch

• Explain how they are likely to progress in their career and the contribution they are expected to make to the sector in the future.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

Supporting evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a manager, mentor, lecturer or client
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

To sponsor this category, please contact Rebecca or call us on 01892 351626.

Developing Future Talent

The Developing Future Talent award seeks to recognise a company/organisation that has demonstrated exceptional commitment in Developing Future Talent in education.

Entry Criteria

1. Strategy and Commitment (25%)
Prompt:

• What is your organisation’s approach to developing future talent?
• Summarise your aims, guiding principles or frameworks that underpin your work with emerging professionals.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

2. Delivery and Support (30%)
Prompt:

• What activities, programmes or initiatives have been delivered in the last 12 months?
• Describe the structure of your approach. This could include schemes, mentoring, training or placements, and who they are aimed at.

Word limit: Up to 350 words

3. Impact and Outcomes (25%)
Prompt:

• What difference has this work made?
• Share evidence of success such as feedback from participants, retention into the sector, skill development or growth in confidence.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

4. Inclusion and Long-Term Value (20%)
Prompt:

• How is your organisation ensuring that future talent development is inclusive and sustainable?
• Explain how you are reaching a broad range of participants, removing barriers or building a lasting pipeline of talent.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

Supporting Evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a client or from team members
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

To sponsor this category, please contact Rebecca or call us on 01892 351626.

Inspirational Leader

The Inspirational Leader award seeks to recognise a leader working in the education sector that has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and commitment in  developing the people within their company/organisation. 

Entry Criteria

1. Leadership Approach and Philosophy (25%)
Prompt:

• What defines this person's approach to leadership?
• Describe their leadership style, values and the way they support or guide their team. 
• You may wish to include context around the environment in which they work.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

2. Actions and Achievements (30%)
Prompt:

• What has this person done in the past 12 months that makes them stand out as a leader?
• Include specific examples of initiatives, decisions, team support or leadership through change.

Word limit: Up to 350 words

3. Impact on Others (25%)
Prompt:
What difference have they made to the people they lead or work alongside?
Consider how they have built trust, inspired action or developed individuals or teams.
Word limit: Up to 300 words

4. Legacy and Culture (20%)
Prompt:

• How is this leader shaping a positive and lasting culture in their organisation or community?
• Think about their long-term influence, how they lead by example and how they promote inclusive and supportive values.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

Supporting Evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a client or from team members
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

To sponsor this category, please contact Rebecca or call us on 01892 351626.

Unsung Hero

The Unsung Hero Award shall be given to an individual who has achieved great things in the past 12 months yet is not publicly celebrated or recognised.

Entry Criteria

1. Role and Contribution (25%)
Prompt:

• What does this person do, and what do they bring to their role?
• Tell us about their job or position and the everyday contributions they make that often go unnoticed.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

2. Quiet Impact (30%)
Prompt:

• What have they done in the past 12 months that makes them a true unsung hero?
• Share examples of dedication, generosity, problem-solving or persistence that may not have been formally acknowledged.

Word limit: Up to 350 words

3. Personal Qualities (25%)
Prompt:

• What makes this person special to work with or be around?
• Describe their personal attributes such as kindness, dependability, calm under pressure or the way they support others.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

4. Why They Deserve Recognition (20%)
Prompt:

• Why do you believe this individual deserves to be celebrated?
• Explain why their efforts should now be brought into the spotlight.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

Supporting Evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a client or from team members
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

To sponsor this category, please contact Rebecca or call us on 01892 351626.

Let's Go Zero Hero Award

The Let’s Go Zero Hero Award recognises an individual who is leading bold, innovative and impactful climate action within their school, college or nursery. This person goes above and beyond to create measurable change, inspire others and champion the Let’s Go Zero vision that all UK schools become zero carbon by 2030.

They are:

• A passionate leader regardless of their level of authority. Leading bold,  innovative, effective and replicable actions or projects.
• Creating real and measurable impact in their setting’s climate action and progress towards net zero. They have gone beyond the easy and obvious actions.
• Proactively sharing their experiences to support other settings to take action.
• Advocating for the Lets’ Go Zero vision – that all schools, colleges and nurseries are zero carbon by 2030.
• Inspiring a whole setting approach that has impact beyond their own setting –
• working with their MAT, community, or other networks/stakeholders.
• A passionate and positive role model who enables others to take action through supporting their students, colleagues, and wider community.

Individuals can be teaching or non-teaching staff, as well as governors/MAT Trustees. 
Priority will be given to individuals in settings educating students aged 18 and below, 
and are signed up to the Let’s Go Zero campaign.

Entry Criteria

1. Leadership and Vision (25%)
Prompt:

• How has this person demonstrated leadership in climate action within their setting?
• Describe how they’ve taken initiative, inspired others and helped set a clear direction for climate and sustainability work.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

2. Action and Innovation (30%)
Prompt:

• What climate-focused actions has this person delivered in the past 12 months?
• Share examples of creative, challenging or meaningful activity that go beyond basic green actions.

Word limit: Up to 350 words

3. Measurable Impact (25%)
Prompt:

• What has changed as a result of their actions?
• Include outcomes such as behaviour change, energy savings, student engagement, wider community involvement or influence beyond their setting.

Word limit: Up to 300 words

4. Collaboration and Advocacy (20%)
Prompt:

• How has this person shared their learning and promoted the Let’s Go Zero vision?
• Include evidence of their support for students, colleagues, partner schools or community groups, and how they’ve encouraged others to act.

Word limit: Up to 250 words

Supporting Evidence

• Must provide at least 1 testimonial from either a client or from team members
• Optional note in support of your nomination (Up to 150 words)

Submit your entry

Sponsored by: 

Women in Construction Award

Open for nomination by an employer, client, colleague, or the individual themselves, this award recognises a woman who has demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, leadership, and positive impact within the construction industry.

The award celebrates career progression, leadership, and contributions that strengthen the construction workforce, support greater participation of women in the sector, raise standards across construction environments, and support positive industry culture.

Evidence should primarily relate to achievements within the last 12 months, although career context may be included where relevant.

Entries should focus on clear examples and evidence of impact rather than general descriptions wherever possible.

Entry Criteria

1. Career Journey and Professional Purpose (20%)

Prompt:

What makes this individual stand out within the construction industry?

Please include:

• Their current role, responsibilities and career journey
• Key motivations or goals that have shaped their career
• Any significant challenges or barriers they have overcome
• Why their work is valued within their organisation or sector

Word limit: Up to 300 words

2. Leadership and Achievement (30%)

Prompt:

What has this individual achieved in the last 12 months that demonstrates excellence in construction?

Please include examples of:

• Projects, initiatives, or responsibilities they have led, delivered, or significantly influenced
• Leadership shown within teams or organisations
• Innovation, problem-solving, or technical excellence
• Contributions to safety, efficiency, quality, or project delivery

Word limit: Up to 300 words

3. Impact on People and Industry (30%)

Prompt:

What measurable impact has this individual made on colleagues, organisations, or the wider construction sector?

Wherever possible, include clear examples or measurable outcomes.

Examples may include:

• Contributions to workforce development, mentoring, or supporting future talent entering the construction industry
• Actions that have improved workplace culture, workforce standards, opportunities for women, or inclusion
• Evidence of influence on projects, teams, or industry practices

Word limit: Up to 300 words

4. Industry Influence and Future Contribution (20%)

Prompt:

How is this individual helping shape the future of construction?

Examples may include:

• Acting as a role model for future professionals
• Supporting women entering, progressing, or remaining within construction
• Engagement with industry events, outreach, or professional networks
• Contributions to initiatives that encourage higher workforce standards, inclusive site environments, or long-term improvement across the sector

Word limit: Up to 300 words

Supporting Evidence

The following supporting materials may be submitted:

Required:

• At least one testimonial from a colleague, client, or industry peer

Optional:

• Up to 3 supporting documents, such as:

Optional supporting note: Up to 150 words

Submit your entry

Sponsored by: