A pupil-led community programme based at Highfield leadership Academy has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
Highfield Leadership Academy’s ‘Highfield Helpers’ programme has been shortlisted for the Community and Collaboration award in this year’s Tes Schools Awards.
The group is one of eight outstanding school-based community initiatives across the country to have been recognised as a finalist.
The Highfield Helpers are well-known throughout Blackpool for their work helping to support vulnerable people, protecting the environment and raising funds for local charities.
Throughout lockdown, the group of community-spirited pupils helped alleviate suffering in the local community by reaching out to lonely and vulnerable people with messages of friendship and small gifts.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the group also worked extensively with local people to help them to develop technology skills to help them feel less isolated.
Andrew Galbraith, Principal at Highfield Leadership Academy, said: “We are absolutely delighted with our nomination which recognises the excellent community work carried out by our pupils and staff.
“We are very proud of our pupils and their commitment to supporting others who may be struggling.
“Their care and consideration is a wonderful reflection of the spirit of our pupils and staff at Highfield Leadership Academy.”
The Tes Schools Awards celebrate the extraordinary commitment, quality and innovation shown by teachers and school staff across the UK.
Tes editor Ann Mroz said: “It is always a highlight of the education calendar to see the best ideas and people lauded at the Tes Schools Awards. But this year, it felt more important than ever to run an event that showcased and celebrated the hard work that teachers and school staff do for children and their local community every single day. This has been one of the most difficult years in education, but – as ever – teachers continue to rise to the challenge.
“We had a record number of entries this year and the standard was very high, so all those shortlisted should be very proud: it’s an extraordinary achievement to be on this shortlist.”
Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Friday, November 13, 2020.