College named ‘Most Inspirational Sixth Form’

20 November 2023

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has been named the ‘Most Inspirational Sixth Form’ at one of the most prestigious awards in education.

Educate Awards celebrates the finest schools, colleges, teachers and support staff, and the College beat competition from three other finalists to be honoured with the most inspirational title.

The glittering awards ceremony took place at Liverpool Cathedral and staff from the college took to the stage to collect the award, after two previous accolades this year, making it an unprecedented triple crown of educational awards in 2023. Another leading awards body, Educate North Awards, gave the college the title of College of the Year 2023 in April, while the Sixth Form Colleges association recognised the institution’s commitment to ensuring that all young people are afforded the same opportunities with the Social Mobility Award.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College staff at the awards ceremony in Liverpool Cathedral with the Educate Award for Most Inspirational Sixth Form

The awards come in a year that saw record breaking A Level results at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, with high grades of A* - B in the summer beating pre-pandemic levels. The ‘Most Inspirational’ award, sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University, acknowledged not only academic success but the all round student experience on offer, and the platforms for the future that the College provides to its students every year.

Educate Awards judges said: “Birkenhead Sixth Form College draws inspiration from science and evidence, which is seen in its remarkable success and increasing A Level achievements. Through its unwavering commitment to providing opportunities to every young person, it serves as a shining example for social mobility, collecting numerous accolades and truly standing out for its impactful work.”

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, said: “This is a truly special award for us to win and it means a great deal to all staff and our students. Never has the wording and notion of an award been more apt for us – ‘most inspirational’. It’s what our staff do day in and day out: they inspire the next generation of this region’s young people to be the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be.”

Mike continued: “The reason that this award is most pleasing is that it celebrates all aspects of what being a student at Birkenhead Sixth Form College is all about. The opportunities for personal growth and furthering yourself to unlock doors for the future are just unrivalled. The students get back even more than they put in, with our expert teachers and support staff working tirelessly to help students reach and even surpass their own potential.

“To win three awards in a year is remarkable, but it is no more than our students and staff deserve. I’m incredibly proud to lead an organisation that does the right thing every time, even when it might be the harder thing to do. We meet every challenge head-on and we are absolutely certain that we can take every student to the next level, no matter which high school they come from or what their educational or personal background may be. The college is a place for everyone to be inspired, inside and outside of the classroom.”