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Aspiration Awards 2026

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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).

Get your nominations ready!

We're pleased to share that our 2026 Aspiration Awards will be opening on:

Wednesday 3 December

Save the date and this webpage, and remember to get your nominations in early!

Terms and conditions

Read the terms and conditions for entry to the 2026 Aspiration Awards.

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 2026 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