National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2026 – WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The winners of the seventh annual National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education were revealed at a spectacular sold-out Presentation Evening on 9 October 2026 at the Graeme Hick Pavilion, Worcestershire County Cricket Ground.
The event marked the fourth consecutive NAPCE Awards Presentation Evening to sell out, with the venue packed with finalists, winners, guests and supporters who came together to celebrate outstanding achievement in pastoral care in education.
The evening featured entertainment from Britain’s Got Talent singer Pippa Langhorne, alongside a fantastic performance from Dance In Motion, from nearby Malvern.
Special guest speaker for the evening was educational author Dr Maddie Popoola who shared her experience and insights with guests in a powerful address.
The Awards were expertly presided over by NAPCE Chair Phil Jones, who helped guide an evening dedicated to recognising the exceptional contribution of those working to improve the lives of children and young people.
NAPCE Chair Phil Jones said: “The National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people, teams and organisations who make such a profound difference to the lives of children and young people. The quality of the entries has once again been exceptional, and this year’s finalists and winners should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. We are delighted to bring the education community together to recognise their commitment, dedication and outstanding work.”
Our 2026 sponsors included Headline Sponsor Flourish, Pupil Pathways, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL UK), Connect to Purpose, EDClass, Global Equality Collective, Taylor & Francis and Twinkl. Their support has been instrumental in helping NAPCE recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution being made to pastoral care across education.
The 2026 Awards attracted an exceptional number of high-quality nominations, reflecting the strength and diversity of pastoral practice across education. The standard of entries was outstanding, highlighting the dedication, innovation and commitment of those working every day to support the wellbeing, development and success of children and young people.
Congratulations to all our 2026 winners and finalists on their fantastic achievements.
Winners can download a Press Release template to help share the news with local or national media.
National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2026 – The Winners
International Contribution to Pastoral Care
Sponsored by EDClass
Criteria: An international school, organisation or individual outside the UK that has promoted or delivered high-quality pastoral care.
Winner:
Guangzhou Happy Seeds – Guangzhou, China
Finalists:
Primary Years Programme Pastoral Care, ISA Wuhan International School – Wuhan, China
ISA Tianhe International School – Guangzhou, China
Cogdel Cranleigh School Changsha – Changsha, China
Ally Feng, Dean of Upper School, BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Wuhan – Wuhan, China
Outstanding Contribution to Pastoral Care
Sponsored by Twinkl
Criteria: A person, group or organisation that has made a real difference for the benefit of young people through pastoral care.
Winner:
Sam Coton, Better Me Better You C.I.C – Worcestershire
Finalists:
Rachel Davenport, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Susan Gee, Shinsei Academy – Manchester
Claire Sutton, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Laura Stow, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Pastoral Development of the Year
Sponsored by Taylor & Francis
Criteria: A pastoral initiative or idea that has achieved positive outcomes and improved the learning experience and future life chances of young people.
Winner:
I3ntegrate Counsellors in School – Cambridge
Finalists:
Empower Hour at Harris Science Academy – East London
Helen Parfect, Hobbs Centre, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
The Nest, Sonning Common Primary School – Reading
Wellbeing Team, Wellingborough School – Wellingborough
Effective Pastoral Care to Support Transition
Sponsored by Pupil Pathways
Criteria: Demonstrating outstanding collaborative work to ensure children and young people experience positive transitions into new schools or educational settings.
Winner:
Lagan College – Belfast
Finalists:
Stockport Academy – Stockport, Greater Manchester
Addey and Stanhope School – New Cross, London
Arushi Madaan, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Denton Community Academy – Denton, Greater Manchester
Raising Awareness About Pastoral Care
Sponsored by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL UK)
Criteria: An individual, group or organisation that has raised awareness of pastoral care or pastoral issues and encouraged positive improvements for the benefit of young people.
Winner:
Jaspar Khawaja, Institute of Education, UCL & States of Mind
Finalists:
Chris Tooley, Principal, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Harris Academy Peckham – Peckham, London
Emily Malsom, Dene Magna School – Gloucestershire
John Leggott College – Scunthorpe
Pastoral Member of Staff of the Year
Sponsored by Flourish
Criteria: A member of staff who consistently goes above and beyond to support young people and help them succeed.
Winner:
Marie Quetant, Harris Science Academy East London
Finalists:
Janine Fogg, Mossley Hollins High School – Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire
Jackie Challenger, Severnbanks Primary School – Lydney
Hannah Campbell, St Patrick’s College – Dungannon
Tonia Webb, LEO Trust – Cheam, Surrey
Pastoral Leader of the Year
Sponsored by Vicki Blackburn, Dame Alice Owen’s School
Criteria: A leader who inspires colleagues through a passion for pastoral care and makes a lasting difference to the lives of young people.
Winner:
Zoe Ali, Thornhill Community Academy – Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
Finalists:
Chris Woods, Deputy Principal, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Chris Tooley, Principal, The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Claire Haller, Deputy Principal, John Leggott Sixth Form College – Scunthorpe
Michelle Black, Assistant Head (Pastoral), Djanogly Strelley Academy – Nottingham
Pastoral Team of the Year
Sponsored by Connect to Purpose
Criteria: A pastoral team demonstrating exceptional commitment to supporting young people to achieve their full potential.
Winner:
St George’s Junior School Pastoral Team – Shrewsbury
Finalists:
Gospel Oak School – Tipton, West Midlands
Prospect House School – London
Withington Girls’ School – Manchester
Loreto Grammar School – Omagh
Pastoral School of the Year
Sponsored by Global Equality Collective
Criteria: A school demonstrating an outstanding commitment to pastoral care that makes a real difference to the progress and personal development of young people.
Winner:
Woodlands Primary School – Telford, Shropshire
Finalists:
The Netherhall School & Oakes College – Cambridge
Richard Cloudesley School – London
Stoke Heath Primary School – Coventry
ISA Tianhe International School – Guangzhou, China
Special Awards
Outstanding Pastoral Care for SEND Learners Award with the Gerda Hanko Legacy
Winner:
Cheryl Edwards
Special Recognition Award
Sponsored by NAPCE
Winner:
Professor Stan Tucker
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by NAPCE
Winner:
Professor Ron Best
Looking Ahead
Following another hugely successful Awards evening, attention now turns towards the National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education 2027.
Entries for the next Awards open on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
We would like to thank everyone who nominated, supported and celebrated the incredible work represented at this year’s Awards. To our finalists, winners, sponsors, judges and guests – thank you for helping us shine a light on the people and organisations making a genuine difference through pastoral care in education.
Congratulations to all our 2026 winners and finalists. We look forward to celebrating with you again in 2027.