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.

Submit your nominations now

Do you know an NCFE or Active IQ learner, educator, centre, or colleague who is making a difference?

We’re looking to celebrate the incredible achievements of learners, educators, centres, and colleagues from across the past year – and we’d love to hear your stories. Enter a nomination into one or more of our six categories by clicking 'Enter now' below!

You can read the terms and conditions for entry to the awards, or discover our top tips for drafting a winning nomination here.

Thank you for entering!

The entry period for this year's Aspiration Awards has now closed. We'll be in touch to share our 2026 finalists with you soon!

Meet our judges

Discover our panel of influential figures from across education, skills, and the media who will judge this year's awards:

Click here to meet our 2026 judges

Meet our 2025 winners

It was incredibly hard for our judges to choose our 2025 winners following nominations for so many inspiring learners, educators and centres. Discover more about our winners by clicking on their images below, or discover our full list of 2025 winners here.

Learner of the Year: Isabelle Fazackerley, Shipley College

Apprentice of the Year: Carly Tait, Learning Curve Group

Against All Odds: Anya Clair, Wolverhampton College

Watch Anya Clair's story

Against All Odds winner – Anya Clair, Wolverhampton College

Anya Clair’s education was put on hold after a car accident left her with severe physical and cognitive injuries. After originally joining the City of Wolverhampton College in 2022, her path was tragically interrupted aged 17 when driving with her friends, but she has now been inspired by those who cared for her.

Watch her video to learn how she overcame the challenges she faced.

Watch on YouTube

CACHE Outstanding Achievement Award winner: Sara Louise Gilpin, Southern Regional College

Support Staff of the Year 2025 winner: Andrew Firth, Leeds City College

Educator of the Year winner:  Caroline Kerr, Southern Regional College

Centre of the Year winner: The Public Services Department at Leeds City College

The Public Services Department at Leeds City College supports learners with their journey towards a career in Uniformed Protective Services. They have earned the Centre of the Year award for their dedication to learner success and exceptional public service.

Tom Griffiths, Head of Department, shared: “Our alumni have gone on to further apprenticeships with local Uniformed Protective Service organisations, or taken on a Policing, Criminology, or Law path at university. We are proud to have taught members of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, HM Prison Service, and the Armed Forces in our department.”

Find out how the department achieves high student success and makes a difference in the local community.

Read the college's story

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