Finalists announced for Church School Awards 2011

Twelve regional finalists have been announced for the firstannual Church School Awards. The awards will be presented at theChurch School Awards Gala on 24 March.

Schools from across England and Wales were judged on how theyfoster strong community relations, both locally and nationally.More than 350 schools took part and the finalists were chosen froma shortlist of more than 100 schools. They are:
St Alban's Catholic Primary school, Gateshead
St Aidan's CE High School, Harrogate
Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School, Bolton
St Cuthbert's Catholic Community College for Business andEnterprise, Merseyside
Barwell CE Junior School, Leicester
Nottingham Emmanuel School
St Luke's CE Science & Sports College, Devon
St Chad's Patchway CE Primary School, South Gloucestershire
St Luke's CE Primary School, Canning Town
The Ursuline High School, Wimbledon
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School, Portsmouth
The Piggott School, Twyford

Regional prizes will be awarded at both primary and secondarylevel, with overall national winners for both levels drawn fromthese regional winners. The Gala will take place at WestminsterCathedral Hall, starting with lunch at 12pm. Nick Gibb MP, Ministerof State for Schools, will present prizes.

Schools were asked to describe what nurturing global citizenshipand fostering community cohesion mean to them, and how theseprinciples are embedded in school life.

Lisa Nolan, Education Development and Improvement Officer for theMethodist Church, said: "We've been overwhelmed by the level ofinterest in the first ever Church School Awards. The standards havebeen very high and we look forward to celebrating educationalexcellence at the Gala in March."

Rob Gwynne, Head of School Development for the Church of Englandand Deputy General Secretary of the National Society said: "Theseawards will offer recognition to the many church schools that aremaking a huge difference in their communities and we're lookingforward to expanding the awards next year."

The inaugural Church School Awards for inspiring citizens andtransforming communities are sponsored by Emmaus, a recruitmentagency specialising in supporting church schools to find teachingand leadership staff. Emmaus has agreed to sponsor the Awards againin 2012, when the awards will cover all of the UK.