A charity fundraiser, ultra-marathon runner and deputy head teacher from Oldham has been honoured for his services to education during an awards ceremony.
Steve Hill OBE, the deputy headteacher at St Joseph's Primary School in Shaw, was crowned a winner at the prestigious Educate Awards on Friday, November 17.
In a battle of the best across the north west, Steve joined dozens of other teachers and influential educators who had been nominated for one of 20 awards during the ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral.
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But it was Steve who received the highly coveted 'Teacher of the Year Award' and has taken the award home to Oldham.
The award, sponsored by CER Education, celebrates outstanding teachers who show patience, passion and dedication and who bring learning to life by engaging and inspiring children and young people to fulfil their potential.
The judges believed Steve, who recently completed a 'month of marathons' in the summer holidays for his charity, The Team Hill Charitable Trust, embodies all of that.
The judges found the prolific fundraiser has inspired colleagues and students alike and commented on his "one-of-a-kind nature".
In his Educate Awards entry, Steve is said to make "learning a pleasure" and said he is passionate in everything that he does as he encourages the children to be their best, too.
His debut book, 'What's Next Sir? How one teacher's mission to inspire his pupils taught him so much more in return', documents some of Steve's incredible globetrotting adventures and extreme challenges while seeking to inspire his class - the proceeds of which will also go to charity.
The latest accolade comes as Steve was only recently shortlisted for an I Love MCR Award, in the 'most loved community leader' and the Dianne Oxberry Special Impact Award at the This Is Manchester Awards.
Throughout August, Steve ran through the tough terrains of Costa Rica and Tajikistan during the summer break from school and was surprised by the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Zahid Chauhan, who awarded Steve with the Borough's Coat of Arms Shield.
Last year, Steve was awarded with the 'individual making a difference in the community' award and The Lancastrian Award.
He also met the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2015 when he received his MBE in honour of his services to education and charity.
Now in its 12th year, the Educate Awards showcases the hard work and creativity in the education sector, from STEM and performing arts to sports and literacy.
The awards also recognise the individuals who bring schools and colleges to life, from inspiring teachers and dedicated support staff to strategic leadership teams.
In partnership with ASL and Ricoh, the Educate Awards invited more than 700 guests and was hosted by broadcaster, Simon 'Rossie' Ross.
Alongside the award ceremony, guests enjoyed a three-course gala dinner and glittering entertainment from the region's schools.
Gateacre School student, Aiden Ellis, provided a soundtrack to the reception and the big event was opened by a performance of 'Be Our Guest' from Disney's Beauty and the Beast by Rainford High.
The Hollins in Accrington then delivered a performance of dance and poetry before up-and-coming indie band, The Height, closed the night.
Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: “Congratulations to Stephen Hill for winning Teacher of the Year at this year’s Educate Awards.
“A big well done to the runners-up and finalists too.
"Results this year were incredibly close, and judges had a difficult time deciding not only the shortlist but also overall the winners.”
Kim added: “The Educate Awards team is proud to champion the innovation, diversity and dedication that is taking place in educational establishments around the region.
"Entries will open again in February 2024, and we encourage all types of schools and colleges to submit as many entries as they like, for free.”
Associate sponsors of the Educate Awards 2023 include All About STEM, Angel Solutions, CER, CPMM Media Group, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Careers Hub, Liverpool John Moores University, LSSP, SENDSCOPE, and SupplyWell.
Other awards included the Communication Award, which went to Manchester Academy, the Outstanding Commitment to the Environment Award, won by Heswall Primary School in Wirral and the Career and Enterprise Award, won by Hope Academy in St Helens.
Abbot's Lea School in Liverpool won two awards - the SEND Provision Award and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award.
Meanwhile, Hillside High School in Sefton won the Innovative and Creative Literary Award, Neston High School in Cheshire won the Outstanding Commitment to STEM award and the Community Partnership Award went to St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Knowsley.
When it came to performing arts, Kew Woods Primary School, also in Sefton, won the Outstanding Arts in a Primary School and The Hollins in Lancashire won Outstanding Arts in a Secondary School.
As for sport, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Wallasey, Wirral, won the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Primary School and Cowley International College in St Helens won the same award but for a secondary school.
Employability Solutions Ltd in Liverpool was crowned the most inspirational alternative provision while Birkenhead Sixth Form College in Wirral, Gateacre School in Liverpool and Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool received similar 'most inspirational' awards for their schools.
The Green Fold School in Bolton then won Leadership Team of the Year while teacher, Jeanette Horrocks of the same school was crowned a runner-up of the School Support Star of the Year.
As well as Steve Hill, Catherine Chapman of Gateacre School in Liverpool was crowned the runner-up in the Teacher of the Year Award category while Phillip McGowan of Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School in Sefton won School Support Star of the Year.
Finally, the WOW Recognition Award went to Beech Hall School in Cheshire.
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