North Shropshire primary schools named winners at awards for excellence

Two north Shropshire primary schools are celebrating after winning prestigious national awards, placing them among the highest-performing schools in England for parent satisfaction and pupil engagement.

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Criftins CofE Primary School, near Ellesmere, and Tilstock CofE Primary School, near Whitchurch, have won Edurio Awards, which celebrate excellence in schools and multi-academy trusts (MATs) across England .

Criftins CofE has won both the National Parent Choice Award (Primary) and the National Pupil Engagement Award (Primary) at the awards.

Headteachers Nia Evans and Robert Jones said: "Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family can make, so it is an honour to receive these awards. We are committed to open communication, strong partnerships and putting children at the heart of every decision. We thank our parents for their continued confidence in our school."

Tilstock CofE has been named a winner of the National Parent Choice Award (Primary).

Rowena Kaminski, Executive Headteacher, said: "We are incredibly proud to receive this award, which reflects the strength of the relationships we have built with our parents and families. Working in partnership is central to everything we do, and we are grateful for the trust and support our school community continues to show us."

The awards are based on Edurio's national analysis of pupil and parent feedback, placing the schools among the highest performing in England for both pupil engagement and parent satisfaction.

The recognition highlights the schools' commitment to delivering engaging learning experiences, fostering a love of learning, building strong partnerships with families, and creating supportive environments where pupils and parents feel valued, heard and empowered.

Sarah Finch, CEO of Marches Academy Trust, added: "We are incredibly proud of the teams at Criftins and Tilstock. These awards are a testament to the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our pupils and the strong partnerships we have built with our families. To receive national recognition based directly on parent and pupil feedback is particularly meaningful. It reflects our commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences and ensuring every child can thrive."

Congratulating the winners, Ernest Jenavs, CEO of Edurio, said: “Our research shows that pupils' interest in learning tends to decline as they move through school, making this achievement particularly noteworthy. Staff in these schools have successfully kept pupils curious and engaged in their learning, which has a significant impact on their educational experience.

"At the same time, these schools have built strong relationships with families, earning the trust and confidence of parents who would recommend them to others. Together, these achievements reflect school communities where pupils and families feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive."

The schools will be formally recognised at the Edurio Awards ceremony, which will take place in London in early December, bringing together education leaders and representatives from schools across England to celebrate excellence in pupil and parent experience.