College shortlisted for two Liverpool Echo School Awards

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has reached the final shortlist for two prestigious prizes at the annual Liverpool ECHO Schools Awards 2017.

Two unique and pioneering schemes by the College have beaten stiff competition from across Merseyside to land the nominations from a panel of expert judges. Our ‘BePART’ life-skills programme is in the running for the ‘Healthy Living Award’, while the Drama department’s collaboration with Merseyside Police for ‘Bored’, a play to raise awareness about antisocial behaviour, is a finalist in the ‘Active Community Award’.

Led by Drama teacher, Liz Bones, ‘Bored’ was written and performed by our A Level Drama students in front of over 750 schoolchildren at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion, and received high praise from the region’s schoolteachers, leading police officers and celebrities alike in reaching the younger audience with a powerful and long-lasting message about the impact that antisocial behaviour can have on them and the community surrounding them.

The cast of 'Bored' look out from the Floral Pavilion stage after the show

‘BePART’ is a six-week programme, devised by Psychology teacher Roy Owen and his colleagues, which helps students’ mental health and wellbeing through scientific and holistic methods of being Positive, Ambitious, Resilient and Thoughtful. The scheme has recently featured in a BBC One documentary and has attracted radio coverage across the area.

Competition for the ‘Healthy Living Award’ will be announced on the day of the awards ceremony, which will take place on Tuesday 27^th June at a special event at Liverpool John Moores University that will be hosted by Radio City’s Leanne Campbell.

Roy Owen instructs a 'BePART' session in front of BBC cameras

John Thompson, the ECHO’s Head of Editorial Partnerships, said: “We hope the awards help to shine a light on the many leaders, teachers, support staff and students who help shape young lives - giving them the best possible opportunity to fulfil their potential, and help provide the life lessons they need to get on in the years ahead.

“They (the awards) are an important reminder of the wonderful, passion-fuelled and professional hard work that goes on in schools on a daily basis.”

Click here for the full Liverpool ECHO story on the Schools Awards.