College Principal in final three for ‘Head Teacher of the Year 2018’

Principal at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Mike Kilbride, has been shortlisted for the Liverpool Echo Schools Award for ‘Head Teacher of the Year 2018’.

The annual awards celebrate ‘the unsung heroes behind the scenes who are the heart and soul of any school’, and Mike has been recognised in a category that hails leadership that helps students reach their full potential and thrive in their time in education and beyond.

Mike joined the College 2009 and has driven a journey of transformation culminating in the College being rated as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, being crowned the TES national ‘Sixth Form College of the Year 2018’, and topping the GOV.UK performance tables, making the College the best institution for A Levels in Wirral.

Mike said: “I’m both thrilled and humbled to be a finalist for such an award. The recognition is lovely, of course, but the most pleasing aspect is that what I have and will continue implementing is having a positive effect. The journey that the College has been on has not been down to changing the profile of students that we take in, but it’s been a matter of being ambitious and driven and ensuring that the students are too. Every interaction matters, and it’s those every day details that make a difference to students and inspire them to fulfil their potential.

“It’s a real honour to be shortlisted and it would be wonderful to win, but my commitment and focus is with the College continuing to be the best provider of sixth form education in the area, and helping each and every student to achieve, no matter their academic starting point.”

The Liverpool Echo Schools Awards will take place on Tuesday 26^th June at Liverpool John Moores University where the winners will be announced.