Awardees were presented with a certificate and gift vouchers
185 students were honoured last night at an awards ceremony held to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of young people in Tower Hamlets.
The Tower Hamlets Education Awards were an opportunity to celebrate students’ successes and thank educators and families for providing the support system to help them achieve their goals.
The evening took place at the iconic venue Troxy, hosted by BBC News presenter Samantha Simmonds and ITV News Journalist Mahathir Pasha.
Award categories included best achievers for GCSE, best achievers for A-level, and outstanding achievement and exceptional effort. All educational settings in Tower Hamlets were invited to nominate pupils, and awardees received certificates and vouchers.
The Tower Hamlets Education Awards are part of the council’s ongoing work and investment into education, and to celebrate and support young people to reach their potential.
This includes introducing Education Maintenance Allowance and University Bursary schemes, now in its third year, which provides financial aid to support eligible students with their studies. Tower Hamlets is the only council in England to provide this support.
Since launching in 2022, the council has funded 2,350 grants totalling £1.82million. This year’s applications closed on 21 November, and will benefit up to an additional 2,050 students.
Tower Hamlets Council was also the first local authority in the country to provide free school meals for both primary and secondary school pupils, and has invested £13.7 million in its youth provision, Young Tower Hamlets.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“I want to extend a massive congratulations to all of our awardees. You have all performed outstandingly, doing yourselves, your families, and your borough proud.
“As a council, we are committed to supporting your educational journeys, and we recognise the significance of investing in the future of every young person in our borough.
“We will continue championing our young people and supporting them along the road to success, whatever that may look like.”
Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, said:
“It is an absolute privilege to see first-hand the incredible talent, determination and hard work of our young people.
“The Tower Hamlets Education Awards is our way of saying a huge congratulations to all of our students and educators for everything they have achieved, and to look forward to what is still to come.
“I urge all of our students to take pride in their achievements, and to continue reaching for new heights.”
At the awards ceremony, attendees enjoyed a sit-down dinner, as well as photobooths, boba and chai, and music by THAMES Saturday Music Centre Big Band.
Guests were also treated to speeches from Orin Begum, Vice President of Legal at Nordic Aviation Capital, Danny Lee, Chair of the Secondary Headteachers Group, and Veronica Armson Headteacher Pheonix school.
Orin Begum said:
“I want to congratulate all the award winners on their amazing achievements. I also want to thank Tower Hamlets Council for supporting and enabling these students to realise their potential and for their continued investment in the education of the future generations. We need more councils like this!”
Danny Lee said:
"The students we celebrated at the Education Awards have excelled across a range of subjects, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to their studies. Their achievements are a testament to their perseverance and the collaborative efforts of our educators, families, and the wider community.
“Let us celebrate the successes of tonight’s award winners, not just as individual milestones, but as a collective triumph for our borough."
The Tower Hamlets Education Awards received sponsorship from a number of local organisations, including its ‘Gold’ sponsor, ICON College of Technology and Management.
Posted on Friday 29th November 2024