Praise and celebration for children at ATLP Student Awards
30 June 2025
More than 100 students from 23 ATLP schools were celebrated for their remarkable achievements at a day-long ceremony at Drayton Manor Resort.
Wednesday 25 June saw the return of the annual Students Awards held by the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), which featured 120 hand-picked prize winners from primary and secondary schools across Coleshill, Coventry, Erdington, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth.
With a morning ceremony and an afternoon ceremony, the event saw students take the stage to be awarded prizes in six categories: Charity Fundraiser, Community, Contribution to School Life, Creativity, Extra Curricular and Special Endeavour. The Awards were kindly sponsored by ‘Aspire People’ and ‘Zest Education’.
In his introductory speech, Richard Gill, CEO of ATLP, explained just how special the worthy winners were.
He said: “These deserving winners have been hand-picked by their teachers and leaders. These children represent only 1% of our student population – they truly have achieved something amazing to be called here today.”
The morning half was hosted by wonderful student comperes Lucy Percival and Emilie Sandbrook, who are both in Year 6 at Hill West Primary School. It featured inspirational youngsters from Coleshill School, the Royal Sutton School and West Coventry Academy and Brookvale, Coton Green, Curdworth, Deykin, Hill West, Osborne, St Chad’s and Two Gates primary schools.
The afternoon half was led by young hosts Michael Yuill, a Year 10 student from Nether Stowe School, and Toby McNicholas, a Year 5 pupil from William McGregor Primary School.
For this ceremony, it was the turn of students from Arthur Terry, Nether Stowe and Stockland Green secondary schools alongside Dunstall Park, Greysbrooke, Mere Green, Scotch Orchard, Slade, St Michael’s and William McGregor primary schools, as well as students from and The Bridge alternative provision school.
Chair of Trustees at ATLP, John Vickers, said: “This isn’t just a huge achievement for the children who won the awards – they’re here representing thousands of other children who are doing amazing things across all our schools.
“They represent the qualities we think are important in young people, and we’re so proud to celebrate them here today.”
The first award to be given in each ceremony was the Charity Fundraiser Award. Despite being a new school which has only welcomed children for the first time this year, Dunstall Park Primary School already has a charity hero to celebrate – Reception pupil Charlie-Jax Woods, who raised £200 in the PTA Hop-a-thon.
Other deserving recipients included Brookvale Primary School’s Deborah Smith, who raised £3,000 for local food banks; Coton Green School’s Lucie Lewis, who raised £300 for Marie Curie Trust in memory of her Nan; and Joey and Sam Fitter from Mere Green Primary School, whose 5 km run raised £665 for Birmingham Hospice.
Next up was the Community Award, awarded to a student for their contributions outside of school that have made a difference to the local community.
Hill West’s Emilie Sandbrook took the prize after winning a sustainability-themed workshop for her class through LEGO’s Build the Change competition, and representing young voices at the Blue Earth Summit in London. Other recipients included young carer Prince Coley from St Michael’s Primary School, Sea Cadet Jaswin Birdi from Stockland Green School and primary school volunteer Mollie Woodward from the Coleshill School.
The Contribution to School Life Award was presented to students who have made a significant contribution to school life over time.
West Coventry Academy nominated Rebekah Marrington, a member of the Student Leadership Council who has organised charity events and fundraising, and has also represented the school in debating, athletics and netball. The Bridge School congratulated Cobi Williams for his empathy and fairness.
Other recipients included Curdworth Primary School’s Beau Palmer for kindness and positivity, Obsorne Primary School’s talented artist Mareme Gueye who has designed displays and led art activities across the school, and Theo Draycott from St Chad’s Primary School, who is a dedicated member of the School Council and choir.
The Creativity Award highlighted students who have excelled in the arts and creative media.
Among those nominated were singer, dancer and actor Haveer Bassi from Hill West; Computing Student Leader and online safety pioneer Joseph Sheard from Two Gates Primary School; and the Royal Sutton School’s Kaya Arciszewska, who won the award for a variety of creative talents including crochet, origami, drawing and viola.
Scotch Orchard School nominated national street dance champion Larna Bayliss, while William MacGregor School’s Layla Malpas was nominated after taking the lead in her Stagecoach production of Annie.
Next up was the Extra Curricular Award, which celebrated students’ efforts and accomplishments outside the classroom.
The nominees included the Royal Sutton School’s resident black-belt karateka Lexy Moore, who recently won gold in a European karate competition in Iceland; and Mere Green Primary’s medal-winning skier Charles Martin. Coton Green Primary School put forward their “go-to girl for sport” Jayda Gilbert, who has represented the school in football, swimming, netball, dance and athletics, while Slade Primary School’s nominee, multi-talented Ethan Forward, was celebrated for success in swimming, martial arts, football, French and singing.
The Arthur Terry School’s own Nathan Yap took the award after recently winning the Best Speaker title in the Sutton Schools Debating Competition, while Stockland Green celebrated talented mathematician Simon Singh and Greysbrooke nominated young cricketer Jasper James.
Perhaps the most moving moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the Special Endeavour Award, which celebrates students who have shown great bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.
Among those awarded were Walid Ajroudi from Deykin Primary School, who fully participates in school life despite health challenges, and Jake Ravenhall from Osborne Primary School, who has remained a model pupil and high achiever despite the loss of a parent.
West Coventry Academy celebrated Umme Salma, who faced the loss of a parent in 2023 followed by her sister’s serious accident in 2024, but has shown immense courage and commitment to her GCSEs.
Nether Stowe School praised young carer Mia Fennel, while Mere Green School shone a spotlight on Florence Odusinsa, who has shown bravery and positivity when recovering from leg correction surgery.
Mr Vickers said: “The Students Awards is a fabulous event because it highlights the personal development of students, showing that life at ATLP isn’t just about academic success.
“The life skills, humanity and ability to care for others demonstrated by these young people are absolutely essential. These children will grow to be well-rounded human beings who contribute wonderfully to society.
“It’s about recognising individuals who will be there for our futures – it’s really heartening.”
