Two CofE schools from the East Midlands are celebrating their success as National winners of the second Church School Awards.

Queniborough Church of England Primary School from Leicestershire and the National Church of England Academy in Nottingham have been picked from a pool of 10 regional winners, to be recognised for the significant difference they have made to local and global communities.

The awards were announced at a gala event at Methodist Church House on 28 June, hosted by comedian and presenter, Kirsten O'Brien. 

The Church School Awards celebrate the best examples of local community work and global citizenship in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Pupils, staff and parents from the national and regional winners all impressed the judges with their passion for community issues, like the environment, Fairtrade and local fundraising, as well as their active involvement in worldwide initiatives, encouraging respect for different cultures and a sense of justice.

Liam Dowds, Managing Director of Emmaus Recruitment, who established the Church School Awards, said: "We are delighted to congratulate the regional and national winners of this year's Church School Awards on their amazing work. These schools have demonstrated a real commitment to respecting and supporting other young people around the world as well as in their own local community and have also made a lasting impact on the lives and experiences of their pupils."

Nicola Sylvester, Head of School Effectiveness and Deputy General Secretary at the National Society, said: "The Church School Awards are a unique way of recognising the work that Church schools can demonstrate their distinctiveness and effectiveness as Christian organisations...

"The awards are an opportunity to illustrate how well through their distinctive, Christian character and values Church schools ensure the development and achievement of the whole child or young person, and meet the needs of all learners. Furthermore, the awards document the impact of Church school provision not just on the school community, but the wider community in which the schools reside."

Lisa Nolan, Education Development and Improvement Officer at the Methodist Church, said:"We're really delighted that there are two Methodist schools among those awarded and commended today, especially as the standard has been so high. Our schools often work in the most deprived areas and at the heart of Methodism is a passion for supporting children and families in their communities. We believe that every child has a right to a bright future, with the best possible opportunities, regardless of where they come from."

For more information about the national and regional winners, as well as the awards themselves, please go to www.churchschoolawards.com.

 Notes

1. The awards were established by a partnership between Christian recruitment agency, Emmaus Recruitment, along with the Church of England's National Society, the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges, Methodist Education, aid and development organisations like CAFOD and Christian Aid, and many other supporters.   
2. The 2012 awards have received support from the following sponsors:

-          CAFOD
-          Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges
-          Redemptorist Publications
-          Mathletics
-          Dernier Publishing

Regional winners were:
London and SE Primary - Parish Church CE Junior School, Croydon (Diocese of Croydon)
London and SE Secondary - Kent College, Canterbury (Methodist Independent Schools)
NW and Northern Ireland Primary - St Comgall's Catholic Primary School, Bangor, County Down (Diocese of Down and Connor)
NW and Northern Ireland Secondary - Trinity CE School, Carlisle (Diocese of Carlisle)
NE and East Anglia Primary - Wilberfoss CE VA Primary School, York (Diocese of York)
NE and East Anglia Secondary - Notre Dame High School, Norwich (Diocese of East Anglia)
Midlands Primary - Queniborough CE Primary School, Leicestershire (Diocese of Leicester)
Midlands Secondary - The National Church of England Academy, Nottingham (Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham)
SW and Wales Primary - Durweston CE VA Primary School, Dorset (Diocese of Salisbury)
SW and Wales Secondary - Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Cardiff (Archdiocese of Cardiff)
The following schools received Special Commendations:
St John Houghton Catholic School (Midlands Secondary)
St Andrew's CE/Methodist (Aided) Primary School (Midlands Primary)
St John Fisher Catholic High School (NE and East Anglia Secondary)
St Thomas' CE Halliwell (NW and Northern Ireland Primary)
Notre Dame RC School (SW and Wales Secondary)
Archbishop Benson CE Primary School (SW and Wales Primary)