Apprenticeship Awards 2025-2026

The Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Awards 2026 celebrate excellence, innovation and impact across education apprenticeships in the UK. These awards recognise the employers, apprentices and partners who go above and beyond to champion high-quality apprenticeship programmes, support career development, and strengthen the future workforce.

Whether it’s outstanding apprenticeship delivery, exceptional learner achievement or inspiring organisational commitment, our awards highlight those making a real difference in schools and early years settings. Join us in honouring their achievements and celebrating the best of apprenticeship practice in 2026.

 

Award Show Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

Apprentices of the Year

The Apprentice of the Year awards honour exceptional individuals who have excelled in their apprenticeship journey. From early years practitioners to senior leaders, these apprentices represent the highest standards of achievement and professionalism.

Award Winner
Apprentice of the Year: Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2 Kiera Bull, Home from Home Latton Bush
Apprentice of the Year: Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3 Hidajeta Dedovic, Kido, Isleworth
Apprentice of the Year: Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) Apprenticeship Level 5 Amy Lidiard, Darley Dene Primary School
Apprentice of the Year: Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 Emma Mitchell, Greswold Primary School, Solihull
Apprentice of the Year: Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5 Catherine Moseley, Victoria Park Academy, Smethwick
Apprentice of the Year: Operations Manager Level 5 Hannah O'Dwyer, Lawrence House School, Liverpool
Apprentice of the Year: Senior Leader Level 7 Michelle Mosoph, Absolute Angels Nursery, Preston
Apprentice of the Year: Coaching Apprenticeship Level 5 Deborah O'Sullivan
Apprentice of the Year: Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship Level 7 Hollie Emly
Apprentice of the Year: Thrive Wellbeing Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5 Kellie Reeson, Alford Primary
Apprentice of the Year: Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship Level 5 Nicol Hick, Buckingham School
Apprentice of the Year: Thrive Advanced Practitioner Apprenticeship Gemma Williams, Alderman's Green Primary School, Coventry
Apprentice of the Year: Thrive Advanced Practitioner Leadership Apprenticeship Deborah Notley, Emily Wilding Davison School, Newcastle Upon Tyne

 

Special Awards

The Special Awards honour outstanding contributions that transcend individual categories. These special honours reflect the heart and soul of apprenticeship achievement - passion, perseverance and positive impact.

Award Winner
Spirit of Achievement Award Tywana Harvey, Kido, Battersea
Outstanding Commitment Award Katrina Olner, Heathfields Infant Academy (EYE L3)

 

Employers of the Year

Our Employer of the Year awards recognise organisations who demonstrate outstanding commitment to apprenticeship recruitment, development and success. These employers have created supportive learning environments, embedded apprenticeships into workforce planning and shown measurable impact on learner and organisational outcomes.

Award Winner
Employer of the Year: Early Years Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 2 Abacus Pre-school New Malden
Employer of the Year: Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level 3 Gems Nursery
Employer of the Year: Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 5 Georgie Porgie Pre-school, Coventry
Employer of the Year: Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Axminster
Employer of the Year: Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5 Docking Church of England Primary Academy
Employer of the Year: Operations Manager Level 5 Colneis Junior School, Felixstowe
Employer of the Year: Senior Leader Level 7 Bonnie Bear Day Care, Liverpool
Employer of the Year: Coaching Apprenticeship Level 5 Apricot Nursery
Employer of the Year: Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship Level 7 Whiteknights Primary School
Employer of the Year: Thrive Early Years Educator Apprenticeship Level Little Oaks Playschool
Employer of the Year: Thrive Wellbeing Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 5 Elaine Primary School
Employer of the Year: Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship Level Skegness Academy
Employer of the Year: Thrive Advanced Practitioner Apprenticeship Elmtree Learning Partnership
Employer of the Year: Thrive Advanced Practitioner Leadership Apprenticeship Mayfield House

 

Group Awards

Our Group Awards recognise teams, networks and partnerships driving excellence and innovation across the apprenticeship landscape. These groups amplify impact, broaden opportunities and enhance apprenticeship quality across regions and sectors.

Award Winner
Employer Partner of the Year (Early Years) Spring by Action for Children
Employer Partner of the Year (Schools) Keys Group
Apprenticeship Advocate of the Year Chiltern Learning Trust
Local Authority Apprenticeship Team of the Year Hampshire County Council