We are very pleased to announce the date and location of the NAPCE Annual Conference 2026, in Worcester.

NAPCE Annual Conference 2026 – Outline Plan (subject to change)

Key Theme: “Inclusion and Belonging in Education”

Sharing Good Practice in Effective Pastoral Care and Support for Learners

Date

• Friday 9^th October 2026, 9.00am registration and refreshments

Venue

• The Graeme Hick Pavilion
• Worcester County Cricket Ground

Delegates experience

• Keynote expert speakers
• Schools sharing good practice.
• Question Time Panel
• Discussions
• Networking with other delegates
• Displays

Tickets will available soon via our Eventbrite page soon.

NAPCE Online Conference 2026 – Date Announced

A date has also been confirmed for the NAPCE Online Conference 2026.

Thursday 9^th April 2026.

Online Conference Event – followed by Question Time Panel (7-15pm to 9-00pm).

Key Theme: “‘The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Pastoral Care and Support for Learners”.

Speakers and guests on the question Time panel to be confirmed.

Free tickets will be available on Eventbrite soon.

Entry for the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2026 is now OPEN.

The Awards is the first and only scheme based in the UK to recognise great practice of pastoral care providers in the education sector and is now in its seventh year.

We have been delighted with the success of the NAPCE Awards since we launched in 2020 and the initiative continues to go from strength to strength.

The Presentation Ceremony at Worcestershire County Cricket Club in October 2025 was a sold out, for the third year running.

The closing date for all categories this year will be Tuesday, 12th May, 2026, but there’s no reason to wait, get your entries in now.

Just like in previous years, the finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education will be selected by an independent judging panel and invited to attend the ceremony to share the experience with peers and find out who wins each Award.

This year we have added one new category, taking the total number of accolades up for grabs to eleven.

The new award category is Effective Pastoral Care to Support Transition, which is open for entry.

NAPCE is inviting nominations in the following categories.

Pastoral School of the Year
Pastoral Team of the Year
Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year
Pastoral Leader of the Year
Pastoral Development of the Year
Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care
Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care
International Contribution to Pastoral Care
Effective Pastoral Care to Support Transition
Special Recognition Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award

You can enter the NAPCE categories here https://napceawards.wufoo.com/forms/napce-awards-2026-entry-form/

Nominations are encouraged for awards in different categories from schools and educational establishments and you DO NOT need to currently be a member of NAPCE to take part.

NAPCE Awards 2026 is an excellent opportunity to share good practice in pastoral care and through our social media, website and those of our partners, the Awards raises awareness of where pastoral support is making a real difference in the educational experience of young people.

The Awards also encourages new initiatives and ideas in pastoral care and will recognise the contributions being made to developing policy and practice in pastoral support.

This is an opportunity to recognise the impact the work of pastoral staff is having on the achievement and well being of young people.

The decisions about prize winners in each category will be made by a panel of invited professionals who work in pastoral care.

There will be a prize of one year’s FREE NAPCE membership for the school or institution for the winners of each category and individuals will also be recognised for their achievements.

The criteria for the NAPCE awards are;

• Pastoral School of the Year

A school that can demonstrate a commitment to pastoral care and support for learners that makes a real difference in the progress and personal development of young people in the school

• Pastoral Team of the Year

A team that works in pastoral care and can demonstrate a determination to support young people to achieve their full potential and a positive impact on the young people they work with

• Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year

A member of staff who works in pastoral care and who always makes the extra effort to support young people to enable them to become effective learners and achieve success

• Pastoral Leader of the Year

Has a passion for pastoral care that is shared with colleagues to inspire and motivate them to make a real difference in the lives of the young people they work with

• Pastoral Development of the Year

A pastoral initiative or idea that has achieved positive outcomes and has improved the learning experience and future life chances, for young people

• Raising Awareness about Pastoral Care

An individual, group or organisation who through their actions have raised awareness about pastoral care or pastoral issues and encouraged positive improvements for the benefit of young people

• Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care

A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference for the benefit of young people in the area of pastoral care

• International Contribution to Pastoral Care

An international school, organisation outside of the UK or an individual working in research or in an international school outside of the UK, that has promoted or delivered high quality pastoral care

• Effective Pastoral Care to Support Transition

An Award for working in collaboration to ensure that children and young people have a positive experience of transition to a new school or education setting. Demonstrating effective use of pastoral systems to support transition

• Special Recognition Award

To recognise the high-quality pastoral care and support provided by and organisation or individual where it has been demonstrated that this has had a significant impact on supporting learners and that it has been sustained over a period of time

• The Lifetime Achievement Award

To recognise the exceptional contribution made to pastoral care in education by an individual or organisation.

Nominations for the NAPCE Awards are welcome from member schools and institutions and from schools and institutions that are not currently members of NAPCE.

The NAPCE Awards 2025 was a sell-out success and the official photos from the event are now available.

The Gallery from the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2025 is now open and all pictures can be viewed and downloaded.

If you wish to use images in your work, please credit as follows.

Photos: Simon Hanagarth / NAPCE

We have included selection of photos below.

The National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2025 took place at Worcestershire County Cricket Club on October 10th, 2025.

The full gallery can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TVgCFnMshKnVPbCIqt1dSkdnla6hkgmd?usp=share_link

The winners of the sixth annual National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education were unveiled at a thrilled SOLD OUT  evening on in Worcester on October 10th.

The Graeme Hick Pavilion at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground was jam-packed for the third sell-out event on the spin.

There was also entertainment from of Midlands-based singer Michelle Williams and a wonderful display from Dance In Motion who hail from nearby Malvern.

Special guest speaker for the evening was former NAPCE Award winner, teacher, educational psychologist, academic and author Dr Sue Roffey.

The Awards was supported by a number of fantastic organisations through sponsorship and was brilliantly presided over by NAPCE Chair Phil Jones.

Sponsors included the Pupil Pathways, Association of School & College Leaders, Taylor & Francis, Eileen Donnelly Educational Development Limited, North London Collegiate School, Jeju, South Korea, The Wellbeing Distillery, Connect to Purpose and Global Equality Collective.

The Awards received a very large number of nominations this year and the standard to entry was described as “sky high”.

Entry for NAPCE Awards 2026 opens on Monday, October 20th, 2025. From that date entries can be made via this link https://napceawards.wufoo.com/forms/napce-awards-2026-entry-form/

Here are the winners and finalists of the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2025.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists on your fantastic achievements.

National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2025 – The Winners

A school that can demonstrate a commitment to pastoral care and support for learners that makes a real difference in the progress and personal development of young people in the school.

A team that works in pastoral care and can demonstrate a determination to support young people to achieve their full potential and a positive impact on the young people they work with.

A member of staff who works in pastoral care and who always makes the extra effort to support young people to enable them to become effective learners and achieve success.

Has a passion for pastoral care that is shared with colleagues to inspire and motivate them to make a real difference in the lives of the young people they work with.

A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference in pastoral care, for the benefit of young people.

An individual, group or organisation who through their actions have raised awareness about pastoral care or pastoral issues and encouraged positive improvements for the benefit of young people.

An international school, organisation outside of the UK or an individual working in research or in an international school outside of the UK, that has promoted or delivered high quality pastoral care.

The finalists of the National Awards For Pastoral Care In Education 2025 have been revealed and tickets for the presentation evening can be booked from 1st July on the link below.

Now in its sixth year, the NAPCE Awards is a leading event on the education calendar and finalists have been selected by an independent panel of expert judges across eight categories.

The standard of entries this year has been described as “sky high” by NAPCE National Chair Phil Jones.

“Everyone who took part this year should be incredibly proud of their contribution to pastoral care and the difference that it can make to the development and wellbeing of children and young people in our schools and colleges,” Mr Jones revealed.

“The Awards continues to grow and the strength in depth across all categories was a key feature of this year’s scheme.

“Huge congratulations to all finalists, it is an outstanding achievement, particularly given the very high standards on show this year.

“I look forward to meeting you all for the grand presentation ceremony in October, it promises to be an incredibly inspiring evening, once again.

“Please make sure you book early to ensure you get your place at one of the education sector’s most important events of the year!”

NAPCE launched the Awards in 2019 and it is the first UK-wide scheme to recognise outstanding achievements across pastoral care in education settings.

Alongside the eight regular categories listed below, NAPCE launched a Special Recognition Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award this year. These categories were not open to public nomination and winners will be selected by a special panel.

The Awards exists to shine a light on excellent practice in pastoral care and to celebrate the people making a real difference in the educational experience of young people.

It also encourages new initiatives and ideas in pastoral care and recognises the contributions being made to developing policy and practice in pastoral support.

To book FREE tickets for the showpiece Presentation Evening on October 10th at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground, Worcester, click here: https://NAPCEAwardsPresentation25.eventbrite.co.uk

The Finalists

Pastoral School of The Year sponsored by Global Equality Collective

(A school that can demonstrate a commitment to pastoral care and support for learners that makes a real difference in the progress and personal development of young people in the school)

St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Strathfoyle, Derry

Knowles Primary School, Bletchley, Milton Keynes

St. John the Baptist’s College, Portadown ,Co Armagh

Beechfield School, Watford, Hertfordshire

Loreto Grammar School, Omagh

……………….

Pastoral Team of The Year sponsored by Connect to Purpose

(A team that works in pastoral care and can demonstrate a determination to support young people to achieve their full potential and a positive impact on the young people they work with)

Gospel Oak School, Tipton

St. John the Baptist’s College, Portadown ,Co Armagh

Pastoral Team, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh

Pastoral Team at Holte School, Lozells. Birminghan

LSA team at East Barnet School, London

……………….

Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year sponsored by North London Collegiate School, Jeju, South Korea

(A member of staff who works in pastoral care and who always makes the extra effort to support young people to enable them to become effective learners and achieve success)

Jane Davey, Wyborne School, New Eltham, London

Tanya Pavitt, Edgeborough School, Farnham, Surrey

Sue White, Netherhall School and Oakes College, Cambridge

Charlotte Surry, Dame Alice Owens School, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Maggie Bassett, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg, Bryn-y-Môr, Swansea

……………….

Pastoral Leader of the Year sponsored by Taylor and Francis

(Has a passion for pastoral care that is shared with colleagues to inspire and motivate them to make a real difference in the lives of the young people they work with)

Katrina Moore, Malone Integrated College

Vicki Blackburn, Dame Alice Owens School, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Charlotte van der Westhuizen, Benenden School, Cranbrook, Kent

Damian McBeath, The John Wallis Church of England Academy, Ashford, Kent

Chris Woods, The Netherhall School and Oakes College, Cambridge

……………….

Pastoral Development of the Year sponsored by Eileen Donnelly Educational Development Limited

(A pastoral initiative or idea that has achieved positive outcomes and has improved the learning experience and future life chances, for young people)

Young Carers Team, Mark Hall Academy, Harlow, Essex

ReBooT Behavioural Support Unit,  The Netherhall School and Oakes College, Cambridge

The Early Years Personal, Social, and Emotional Development Programme, Partnership for Children

The John Wallis Church of England Academy

Calvin Walker-Hall, All Saints Catholic School, Dagenham

……………….

Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care sponsored by Pupil Pathways

(A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference for the benefit of young people in the area of pastoral care)

Kingsford Community School, Newham, London

Heather Law, Glenlola Collegiate School Bangor, Northern Ireland

Rachel Davenport, The Netherhall School and Oakes College,Cambridge

Laura Stow, The Netherhall School and Oakes College, Cambridge

Sue White, Netherhall School and Oakes College,Cambridge

YGAM, London

……………….

Raising Awareness About Pastoral Care sponsored by The Association of  School & College Leaders

An individual, group or organisation who through their actions have raised awareness about pastoral care or pastoral issues and encouraged positive improvements for the benefit of young people)

Lisa Irvine, All Saints Catholic School Dagenham

Natterhub

Chris Tooley, The Netherhall School and Oakes College, Cambridge

Highfield and Brookham School, Liphook, Hampshire

The John Wallis Church of England Academy, Ashford, Kent

……………….

International Contribution to Pastoral Care sponsored by The Wellbeing Distillery

(An international school or organisation outside of the UK or an individual working in research or in an international school outside of the UK, that has promoted or delivered high quality pastoral care)

The John Wallis Church of England Academy, Ashford, Kent

ISA Liwan International School, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

Jemma Kirby, The Netherhall School and Oakes College,Cambridge

……………….

There will also be a prize of £100 for the school or institution for the winners of each category and individuals will also be recognised for their achievements.

Also on the evening we will be presenting an Outstanding Pastoral Care for SEND Learners Award sponsored by Edith Gerda Hanko Legacy, a Special Recognition Award sponsored by NAPCE and Lifetime Achievement Award also sponsored by NAPCE.

Grand Presentation for The National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education

When: Friday 10^th October 2025. Evening.

Where: Graeme Hick Pavillion, County Ground, Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4RL.

Tickets are available from 1st July, 2025 via this link https://NAPCEAwardsPresentation25.eventbrite.co.uk

The NAPCE Annual Conference takes place on the same day as the Awards and you are welcome to attend that also. Tickets and information are available here: https://AnnualNAPCE25.eventbrite.co.uk

The third NAPCE Symposium in Belfast was a sell-out success, once again.

It was the second year in a row that the conference, at Stranmillis University College, was fully booked.

Speakers included Dr Nicole Cara (Teacher, Educational and Child Psychologist and tutor at University College, London) on the main conference theme of “Building Resilience in Schools: Supporting Pupil and Teacher Wellbeing”, and an opening address from NI Children’s Commissioner Chris Quinn on “Wellbeing in our schools: are we doing right by our children?”.

The programme also featured local NAPCE award winners in 2024: Fiona Boyd and Martine Rooney, Holy Trinity Primary School, Belfast – Winner of Pastoral Development of the Year; and Heather Law and Joanne Wilson, Glenlola Collegiate, Bangor – Winner of Providing Effective Pastoral Care for Learners (Special Recognition Plaque).

A panel discussion was chaired by Phil Jones, UK Chair of NAPCE, featuring Dr Caron Carter, Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Early Childhood Education, Sheffield Hallam University; Hilary Cunningham, Principal, Fane Street Primary School, Belfast; Jonny Hampton, Reach Monitoring; Claire Kerr, Director of Student Services and Wellbeing, Stranmillis University College; and Katrina Moore, Principal, Malone Integrated College.

Huge thanks to lead organiser Professor Noel Purdy OBE and to everyone at Stranmillis University College for their support with this event.

See below, a photo gallery of the event (click on any image twice to expand to full size).

All photos supplied kindly by Greg McCready.