Higher Horizons and Keele shortlisted at Educate North Awards 2025
Higher Horizons and Keele University have been shortlisted in a prestigious awards scheme celebrating the work of educational institutions in the North of England.
The Educate North Awards 2025 recognise excellence and good practice at Northern-based colleges, sixth forms and universities.
The GivEnergy 850 Learning Lab event is a finalist in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Initiative Award. The event saw 85 young people from six local schools enjoy a residential at Keele University where they attended workshops led by Keele academics, had a sustainability tour of campus and learnt about opportunities available to them to access higher education.
The two-day event was funded by GivEnergy and led by Higher Horizons, with support from the Climate Ambassadors scheme, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire University, Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee and 2engage.
Ant Sutcliffe, Associate Director at Higher Horizons, said: "We are thrilled to be shortlisted for this award, which is a testament to all of the partners involved. It was a great way to mark Newcastle-under-Lyme's 850th anniversary year with 85 wonderful young people from across the borough."
Emma Baines, Regional Hub Manager for the Climate Ambassadors scheme, who organised the event, said: "The event provides a model for how schools, local businesses and universities can come together to provide young people an opportunity to be inspired about their futures.
"Bringing different schools together and seeing the young people mix and form friendships was incredibly rewarding and showed them that they could succeed in a new environment such as university."
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “The council is delighted with the outcomes from the GivEnergy initiative as one of the legacies from the borough’s 850th anniversary celebrations. I’m thrilled that the excellent work to nurture young talent within the borough is being recognised in this way."
The winners will be revealed at the award ceremony in Manchester on Thursday, April 3rd across 25 categories.