Terms and conditions

Our awards are simple to enter and open to all UK state and independent schools.

The information below will help you to prepare your entry.

• Entry is free.

• To enter our awards, you will need to create an account with us by simply clicking on the log in section of our entry page – this will give you the option to either log in or create an account if you haven’t got one already. Your details will only be used by us for awards-related communications. Once you’ve created an account, your details will be retained on the site whenever you are logged in, so you will not be required to re-enter them when making additional submissions.

• Once your account has been created, you can draft and revise your entries until you decide to click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button. Just click ‘SAVE’ any time you wish to exit an incomplete submission – this will put your entry in your ‘BASKET’. To submit your entry from your basket you will need to click ‘COMPLETE’ which will take you to the checkout where you can click ‘SUBMIT’.

• You can enter as many categories as you wish, but you must complete a separate submission for each.

• You may also submit more than one entry per category when projects or initiatives are distinctive and unrelated. Otherwise, it is advisable to combine the best elements of each in a stronger, single entry.

• All entries should be endorsed by your institution or organisation.

• If your entry relates to an initiative or project carried out in collaboration with other schools, the submission should come from the lead school, and any shortlisting will be in the name of that school. All partner schools will be credited at the awards evening.

• You may enter a project that has been undertaken in collaboration with an external public or private partner, but the award will be given to the winning institution only.

• These awards celebrate achievements during the 2024-2025 academic year.

We will accept submissions based on projects, initiatives or endeavours that commenced prior to the 2024-2025 academic year, provided that core achievements have taken place during this main period of focus. We will also accept any evidence that has come to light after the close of the 2024-2025 academic year if this further underlines success.

• All entries must be submitted online. Each category will have a series of questions to answer followed by an optional 300 word supporting statement.

• If, for any reason, a category results in a low number of submissions, we reserve the right to change or remove this category from the awards process. Any nominations that have already been submitted for this category will therefore not continue through the judging process. Should the category be amended in any way we will contact the submission author to provide all necessary information.

• The website is open for entries until midnight on Friday 6th March 2026.

• A maximum of three supplementary documents are permitted.
• Documents should be in PDF or Word doc. format.
• Each document should not exceed two sides of A4.
• Ofsted reports will not be accepted.
• Supporting material may include photographs, documents containing statistics, testimonials, supporting research, evaluation or press cuttings and promotional material; please highlight any sections you believe are particularly relevant. PowerPoint and video files will not be accepted; however, you may submit screenshots or a URL.
• If you wish to include tables in your submission, please upload these as part of your supporting materials rather than including them within your submission text.
Any information submitted outside these guidelines will not be considered as part of the submission.

• When preparing your 300-word submission please review the entry criteria carefully.
• Ensure that your submission contains sufficient robust information. Please include relevant facts and figures where possible. Some categories may ask you to include details of a particular initiative or initiatives; please think carefully about these and select those that best promote your expertise.
• As well as completing the 'Institution name' field on the application form, please ensure that you also enter the specific team or project in the nominee field.
Please note that we will use the 'Institution name' rather than that of the project or team in our coverage, although on the awards day we will refer more specifically to the shortlisted project or team.
• On receipt of your submission, a unique ID number will be generated and emailed to you. This will be quoted in subsequent Tes Schools Awards 2026 correspondence relating to your entry, including any notification of shortlisting, so please do cross-check this, particularly if your institution has submitted multiple entries in any given category.
• The contact details you provide in your entry form will be used throughout the awards process. If these details change after the form has been submitted please send the new contact information by email to megan.liman@tes.com.