Milton Keynes’ schools, teachers, and education leaders were in the spotlight at the recent Milton Keynes Education Awards.
The event brought together educators, business leaders, and community champions to recognise the incredible work being done in classrooms across the city.
Ben Thomas from All things Business said “The Education Awards get bigger each year, and this really underlines the strength of the business and education communities coming together to make a difference. As we head into our 4th year, we hope that more business and local authorities will join us in recognising and celebrating the amazing education sector we have in Milton Keynes.”
Councillor Shazna Muzammil, Group Leader of the Conservative Group on Milton Keynes City Council, attended the ceremony as a guest of one of the judges. Reflecting on the evening, she said: ““It was an honour to be part of such a heartwarming event, and I feel not enough has been said about it. The energy in the room was incredible, and it was inspiring to see our educators being recognised for the critical role they play in shaping our future. From nurturing confidence to encouraging innovation, our teachers are truly the unsung heroes of Milton Keynes.”
Cllr Shazna Muzammil also shared her own personal connection to the power of education — and the teacher who stood by her side: “When I was a young girl growing up in Sri Lanka, one of my teachers rang my parents and pleaded with them not to take me out of school and marry me off — as was the norm at the time. Sadly, they didn’t listen. But that teacher’s belief in me never wavered. She would send books home to me, determined that I would continue learning.
Years later, after my divorce, I returned to education — and that decision changed the course of my life. I’ll never forget my teachers, who still stay in touch with me to this day. They were the ones who went above and beyond to help me realise there’s a bigger world out there — and that I belong in it. That’s what teachers do. They fight for us, believe in us, and give us the courage to fight for ourselves.”
The awards highlighted the extraordinary commitment and care shown by schools across Milton Keynes. It was also encouraging to see local charities and businesses step up to sponsor awards and support the event — a reflection of the deep-rooted community spirit that underpins our city.
The evening served as a powerful reminder: behind every confident young person is an educator who took the time to believe in them — and sometimes, that belief changes everything.
With more than 140 schools in Milton Keynes, Cllr Shazna Muzammil hopes even more will take part in the awards next year: “Every school has a story and teachers worth celebrating. A heartfelt thank you to the organisers, the sponsors, and to every school that took part — you make Milton Keynes proud.”
