Colleagues from across Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) came together on Friday evening for a memorable celebration of dedication, achievement and service at the Trust’s inaugural Colleague Awards ceremony, held at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre.

Hosted by Phili Jones and Jamie Ainscow, the evening brought together colleagues, governors and guests from across the Trust to recognise the individuals who make a difference to the lives of children, young people and communities every day.

The awards celebrated excellence across 22 categories, highlighting the breadth of talent and commitment that exists throughout IFtL schools and services. Awards recognised colleagues working in a wide range of roles, including Business Manager of the Year, Cleaner of the Year, Midday Supervisor of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and many more.

Sarah Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Inspiring Futures through Learning, said:“The Awards are a celebration of the extraordinary people who make IFtL a special place. Every day, our colleagues go above and beyond for children, families and one another. These awards provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the passion, professionalism and dedication that can be found in every corner of our Trust. I am incredibly proud of all our nominees, finalists and winners, and grateful for the difference they make every single day.”

The ceremony reflected IFtL’s belief that every role matters and that every colleague contributes to creating exceptional learning environments where children can thrive.

Guests were treated to a showcase of talent throughout the evening, with a wonderful performance from the Frozen cast of Glebe Farm School, followed by an inspiring performance from Christopher Lay, Head of Drama at Glebe Farm School, whose contribution helped make the evening even more special.

One of the evening’s award winners reflected on receiving their award: “I feel incredibly honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. To be nominated alongside so many deserving colleagues was special enough, but winning was completely unexpected. This award reflects the support of my team and the wonderful people I work with every day.”

The event also included the presentation of two of the evening’s most prestigious honours: Governor of the Year and the Lifetime Contribution Award, recognising individuals whose commitment and service have had a lasting impact on the IFtL community.

One attendee described the event as: “A truly uplifting evening. Hearing the stories behind the nominations reminded everyone of the incredible work taking place across our schools. It was fantastic to see colleagues from every role recognised and celebrated.”

The evening concluded with a strong sense of pride, belonging and celebration, as everyone reflected on the collective impact of those who continue to embody IFtL’s values and commitment to excellence.

The inaugural IFtL Colleague Awards has set the foundations for what promises to become a valued annual tradition, shining a spotlight on the people who truly inspire futures through learning.