Winners of 2015 CIPR Education Journalism Awards announced
Awards for the most talented journalists specialising in the field of education and skills were presented on Thursday 12 November at an annual event held in London attended by leading figures in education journalism and communications with top sponsors from the sector.
These Awards celebrate the very best education and skills reporting for the academic year 2014/15 from across the UK, along with emerging talent. They are organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ (CIPR) Education & Skills Group.
This year’s ceremony, sponsored by City & Guilds Group, was held in the splendid surroundings of Dartmouth House, Mayfair – home of education charity the English Speaking Union.
The winner of the 2015 Ted Wragg Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education Journalism – the most prestigious award of the evening – was former Daily Telegraph Education Correspondent (now Transport Correspondent for The Times) Graeme Paton.
Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham, former Master of Wellington College and a leading contemporary historian, educationalist, commentator and political author gave a provocative, entertaining keynote presentation. He expressed concerns about school governors and how they have the power either to support or isolate head teachers in a “lonely” role.
University leaders can learn a lot from school heads. Both should be ‘leaders of teaching and learning’, but too often VCs seem more interested in the ‘Higher’ part of ‘HE’ than what the ‘E’ stands for. University teaching must improve.
I’ve been asked whether I mind that I might be upsetting other VCs. I thought carefully about this and answered ‘No, because I’m speaking the truth’. The best people I know have enquiring minds and restless determination – just like the education journalists in this room.
The CIPR Education & Skills Group enables communications professionals in universities, colleges, schools, sector organisations and freelance practice to share insights and experiences.
We’re delighted to be able to salute the professional excellence of specialist education and skills journalists since we rely so much on those recognised in this year’s Education Journalism Awards and their many esteemed colleagues to help make sense of educational news and developments.
This year’s competition included new categories and a record number of high quality submissions from a wider range of entrants than ever before. Congratulations to all our winners and runners-up.
Four journalists won two awards each. Stephen Exley, Further Education Editor of the Times Educational Supplement won both Outstanding National Education Journalism and Outstanding Further Education Journalism; Julia Belgutay, also from the Times Educational Supplement, won Outstanding Apprenticeship & Skills Journalism and was runner-up in the FE Journalism category.
Sophie Scott from Schools Week won for Outstanding Data Education Commentary and was runner-up in the Most Promising Newcomer to Education Journalism category. John Morgan from Times Higher Education was runner-up for Outstanding Higher Education Journalism and Outstanding Data Journalism Commentary.
Full list of winners and runners-up
The Ted Wragg Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education Journalism
Sponsored by Communications Management.
Graeme Paton, formerly Daily Telegraph, now The Times.
Outstanding National Education Journalism
Sponsored by Loughborough University
Winner: Stephen Exley, Times Educational Supplement (TES)
Runner Up: Helen Ward, Times Educational Supplement (TES)
Outstanding Regional Education Journalism
Sponsored by Worcester University
Winner: Christine Alsford, ITV Meridian
Runner Up: Lauren Hall, ITV Regional News
Outstanding Business Education Journalism
Sponsored by CEMS Global Alliance
Winner: Sal McKeown, Freelance for Primary Teacher Update
Runner Up: Stephen Hoare, Freelance for The Independent
Outstanding Data Education Commentary
Sponsored by Cardiff University
Winner: Sophie Scott, Schools Week
Runner Up: John Morgan, Times Higher Education
Outstanding Higher Education Journalism
Sponsored by ifs University College
Winner: Nic Mitchell, Freelance for BBC News Online
Runner Up: John Morgan, Times Higher Education
Outstanding Further Education Journalism
Sponsored by Association of Colleges
Winner: Stephen Exley, Times Educational Supplement (TES)
Runner Up: Julia Belgutay, Times Educational Supplement Scotland (TESS)
Outstanding Apprenticeship and Skills Journalism
Sponsored by Tideway
Winner: Julia Belgutay, Times Educational Supplement Scotland (TESS)
Runner Up: Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week & FE Week
Outstanding Schools Journalism
Sponsored by World Challenge Expeditions
Winner: Louise Tickle, Freelance for The Guardian
Runner Up: Greg Hurst, The Times
Most Promising Newcomer to Education Journalism
Sponsored by CIPR Education & Skills Group
Winner: John Dickens, Schools Week
Runner Up: Sophie Scott, Schools Week
Notes to editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).