Aspiration Awards 2026

Behind every success, there is aspiration

Our Aspiration Awards honour the success of learners, apprentices, educators, support staff and educational organisations across the UK.  

We believe that there isn’t just one definition of success. Throughout our 175 years in this sector, we've seen it in many forms – from going above and beyond to exceed expectations, to overcoming obstacles to achieve the unexpected, to finding new and innovative ways of working to help others achieve.

Our 2026 categories are:

• Against All Odds:

recognises a learner or apprentice who has overcome difficult personal circumstances to achieve success.

• Apprentice of the Year:

recognises an exceptional apprentice for their work within their apprenticeship, workplace or studies.

• Centre of the Year:

recognises a school/college/training provider that is  going above and beyond to create transformational learning experiences (including individual Accreditation and International Centre of the Year awards).

• Teacher/Tutor of the Year:

recognises a teacher or tutor who has gone above and beyond to support their learner or apprentice. 

• Learner of the Year:

recognises an exceptional learner for their work, either within their programme of study or in relation to a project related to their studies (including individual adult, T Level, V Cert and Level 3 learner awards).

• Support Staff of the Year:

recognises a member of behind-the-scenes staff – including Exams Officers, TAs, Facilities, and Pastoral staff – that goes above and beyond to help learners or colleagues (including an individual Exams Officer award).