2017 CIPR Education Journalism Awards

Awards for the most talented journalists specialising in the field of education and skills were presented on Thursday 23 November at an event held in London, attended by education journalists, education communications professionals, sponsors and leading figures across the education sector.

Now in their thirteenth year, these awards aim to celebrate and promote specialist education journalism from pre-school through to lifelong learning across local, national and international media. They attract entries from established specialist correspondents, those breaking into the sector and influential commentators.

The awards are made in nine categories that include schools, further education, higher education, data journalism, editorial excellence, national and regional journalism. The awards are organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) Education & Skills Group.

This year’s awards event, sponsored by Pearson, was held at 30 Euston Square in London. The keynote speaker was Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of the Office for Students (the new regulator for higher education)

Speaking at the event, she said:

“Regulation needs to be part of the public dialogue, which means we have to engage with you - the media. We need to talk to you and listen. The media are crucial in shaping the narrative. If you see bad practice you will write about it. Your work undoubtably changes behaviours.”

Winner of the 2017 Ted Wragg Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education Journalism (the most prestigious award) was Christine Alsford, Social Affairs Correspondent for ITV Meridian.

Alison Tobin, Chair, CIPR Education and Skills Group said:

“The awards are an annual celebration of the very best in education and skills journalism. The range of issues education impacts on is reflected in the entries. They also demonstrate the ability of exceptional journalists to hold policy makers, politicians and education institutions to account. .

Andy Moss, Senior Vice-President Higher Education, Pearson (this year’s main sponsor) said:

“There is strong public interest in education and skills stories, and rightly so – education is an integral part of the political, social and business agenda. The UK is home to some of the best and most talented education journalists, who are chronicling education news and issues to an incredibly high standard. It’s an honour to help showcase their work.”

Winners and runners up

Most Promising Newcomer to Education Journalism

Sponsored by Pearson College London

Winner: Eleanor Busby, Times Educational Supplement

Runner up: Jess Staufenberg, Schools Week

Outstanding Schools Journalism

Sponsored by London Grid for Learning

Winner: Christine Alsford, ITV Meridian

Runner up: Adi Bloom, Times Educational Supplement

Outstanding Further and Vocational Education Journalism

Winner: Julia Belgutay, Times Educational Supplement

Runner up: Alix Robertson, Schools Week

Outstanding Higher Education Journalism

Sponsored by IDP Education (UK) Ltd

Winner: Holly Else, Times Higher Education

Runner up: Christine Alsford, ITV Meridian

Outstanding Use of Data in Educational Journalism

Sponsored by Education Cubed.

Winner: Helen Ward, Times Educational Supplement

Runner up: Julia Belgutay, Times Educational Supplement

Editorial Excellence

Sponsored by Kingston University

Winner: Mark Leach, Wonkhe

Runner up: Jon Severs, Times Educational Supplement

Outstanding Regional Education Journalism

Winner: Henry Hepburn, TES Global/TESS

Runner up: Christine Alsford, ITV Meridian

Outstanding National Educational journalism.

Sponsored by Loughborough University.

Winner: William Stewart, Times Educational Supplement

Runner Up: Helen Ward, Times Educational Supplement

Ted Wragg Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education Journalism

Sponsored by the CIPR Education & Skills Group

Winner: Christine Alsford, ITV Meridian