Awards & Recognition
National Award for Helen Brough- Governor
Huge congratulations to our co-vice chair of governors, Helen Brough- who received an award of Special Recognition at the National School Awards for her service and commitment to Highfurlong governors. The awards took place at the House of Lords in December.
AfPE Award - Distinction 2022-25
The Association for Physical Education have awarded Highfurlong a Distinction mark for our exceptional quality of PE provision. The examiners were so impressed by the provision at Highfurlong that our school pathway has been submitted as a case study to the Department of Education as an example of good practice.
HeadStart Resilience Awards- July 2022
Highfurlong’s Resilience Council have been amazing this year and it was great to see their amazing work recognised at the Headstart Awards, held at Blackpool Football Club on Friday 15th July. Well done Kadi, William, Alexis, Harry, Chris, Kristopher, Grace & Kieran. Earlier in the year they presented at the International Resilience Conference and told the story of how the Resilience Revolution has been embedded at Highfurlong. This is the film we made it school to share this story.
Secretary of State Visit March 2022
In March, we welcomed the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi and Blackpool MP Paul Maynard to our wonderful school. Our guests were given a tour by our exceptional pupils, who were very proud to show them everything that makes Highfurlong the UK’s Best School, from the highly skilled and talented staff team, our amazing pupils, the bespoke curriculum and phonics scheme, Enterprise Shop and how we use technology to support learning. Mr Zahawi was very impressed with his visit and we hope to welcome him back soon.
National School of the Year 2021
In December 2021, representatives from Highfurlong School travelled to the House of Lords for the National School’s Awards. We had been shortlisted to the final 4 for the UK’s School of the Year award. As the only SEND school in the final and representing the north we were incredibly proud to win, School of the Year 2021. Here is some of the press coverage from the event.
Blackpool Education Awards 2021
On Monday 29th November, parents, pupils and staff attended the Blackpool Education Awards at Blackpool Football Club. We went head to head with other local schools and are pleased to announce we were successful in the following categories;
- Primary School of the Year
- Headteacher of the Year– Neill Oldham
- Inspirational Teacher Award– Mrs Short and Miss Mercer (Reading River)
Arts Mark Silver 2021
The Artsmark Award is the only creative quality standard for schools and education settings, accredited by Arts Council England. In 2021 we were awarded Silver for our work supporting the health and well being of our pupils through the arts and creativity.
Music Mark School 2020-21
In 2020 we were awarded the Music Mark School status by our friends at the Blackpool Music Service. Highlighting our commitment and passion towards the arts here at Highfurlong.
Blackpool Sports Awards 2020
In March 2020 Highfurlong were presented with two awards celebrating our achievement and commitment to sport in school.
- Team of the Year- Boccia
- Life time achievement award- Sharon Todd
Boccia England Bronze Award
Boccia is a paralympic target sport and is embedded into our curriculum. We were very pleased to hear we had been awarded Bronze status by Boccia England in June 2020.
Blackpool Education Awards 2019
At Blackpool Tower ballroom, Highfurlong School attended the Blackpool Education Awards with representatives from staff, pupils, governors and parents. We were incredibly proud to be presented with the following awards on the night.
- Secondary School of the Year
- Primary Pupil of the Year- Harry Blunden
- Career Aspiration Award
Happiest School of the Year 2019
In November 2019, Highfurlong was named the Happiest School of the Year. The award presented by Laughology celebrates the commitment of the school towards the health and wellbeing of staff and pupils. Here is the moment the school was told we had been shortlisted
TES Awards 2019
Mr Birtles was shortlisted for a national teaching award for ‘Innovative Use of Technology to Influence Outcomes’. He was invited to a prestigious awards ceremony in London, and although he didn’t win it is an incredible achievement to be nominated.
