Leeds City Academy Wins Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) School of the Year Award

Leeds City Academy has been honoured with the prestigious Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) School of the Year Award, recognising the exceptional commitment to promoting active citizenship and fostering a democratic culture within the school and its community.

The ACT Citizenship Teaching Awards were established in 2022 to celebrate and acknowledge the remarkable efforts of teachers and schools in delivering Citizenship education.

The ACT Teaching Awards featured 11 categories this year, allowing nominations from teachers, students, and other school staff.

The awards ceremony for this year’s ACT Citizenship Teaching Awards took place at the IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society in Central London. Building on the success of the inaugural Awards launched in Parliament last summer by Lord Blunkett and the Minister for Schools, the event aimed to showcase the most innovative institutions and inspirational individuals across the country.

The awards ceremony took place at UCL in Central London

“Celebrating and rewarding educators”

Liz Moorse, Chief Executive of the Association for Citizenship Teaching, expressed their vision for equipping all young people with the knowledge, skills, and experience to participate in and shape a strong and vibrant democracy based on equality, fairness and justice. Moorse emphasised the importance of effective and highly committed Citizenship teachers, whom ACT recognised and celebrated through the awards.

Michelle Codrington-Rogers, a judge for the 2023 awards, highlighted the significance of celebrating and rewarding educators who strongly believe in the positive impacts of quality citizenship education on students and society as a whole.

The ACT Citizenship Teaching Awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate schools, teachers, and organisations that have displayed exceptional dedication to Citizenship education, embodying its core values. The ACT envisions a society where all young individuals are active, informed citizens, equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to contribute to and shape a robust democracy rooted in equality, fairness, and justice.

Kelly Alchin, with the award

“Commitment and excellence”

Richard Chattoe, Principal of Leeds City Academy, expressed his immense pride in receiving the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) School of the Year Award. Kelly Allchin, a valued member of Leeds City Academy, was presented with the award and trophy at The ACT Annual Teaching Citizenship Conference held in London.

Richard Chattoe recognised the outstanding vision, drive, and excellence demonstrated by Kelly Allchin and her team. He emphasised that this accolade and recognition were not limited to a few individuals but were a testament to the commitment and excellence exhibited by everyone at Leeds City Academy.

Kelly Allchin said ‘I chose citizenship as my teaching specialism as I truly believe in the power and importance that teaching young people about their rights and responsibilities holds. I am immensely proud to work at an academy that values citizenship education, and actively encourages its students to be positive changemakers. ACT do fantastic work, nationally, to promote the subject of citizenship, so to be recognised by them as Citizenship School of the Year was truly fantastic.’

Chattoe concluded by expressing the exceptional nature of Leeds City Academy and the unwavering dedication of staff in empowering the academy’s young individuals to become exceptional young adults.

For more information about the Association for Citizenship Teaching visit teachingcitizenship.org.uk
For more about White Rose Academies see whiteroseacademies.org