Northampton Academy students take home two national awards

Students and staff at Northampton Academy are celebrating after two of our Sixth Formers, Aarya Litt and Liv Shaw, took home National Awards at this year’s Best in Everyone Awards ceremony. The special, in-person ceremony was held at Boughton House in Kettering, Northamptonshire on Friday 19th June.

Year 13 student, Aarya, picked up the prestigious Leadership and Service Award whilst Year 12 student, Liv, was crowned winner of the Maths Award (Year 10-13).

The Best in Everyone Awards is an annual prize giving event, designed to mark the exceptional achievements of students and staff in United Learning schools – of which the academy is a part – across the country, as well as the contributions they make to their school and wider communities.

This year, Northampton Academy asked staff to nominate students across the school and then had the difficult task of selecting their most standout nominations for the National Awards, open to secondary students and all staff across the Group.

In winning the Leadership and Service Award, Aarya was recognised for her extraordinary leadership skills and the dedication she has shown to making a positive impact on the school community. This has included designing and implementing a whole-school programme of activities to promote respect, inclusion, and kindness, and coordinating the school’s week-long International Women's Day celebrations.

Aarya has likewise balanced her leadership responsibilities with her academic learning where she has achieved outstanding success.

Speaking of her win, Aarya said: “Winning this award came as a real surprise and it is a true honour to have been selected. There are countless inspiring young people across the country who have achieved amazing things, and so to receive this recognition means a great deal to me. I hope that I can continue to make a positive difference in the community and embolden others to do the same. I would like to thank all the brilliant teachers, family, and friends who without their support, guidance, and encouragement this achievement wouldn’t have been possible.”

Maths Award winner, Liv, was praised for her strong aptitude in the subject as well as the impressive resilience she shows when tackling more challenging mathematical problems. Alongside conducting her own extensive independent work, Liv has also taken time this academic year to support Year 10 students with their maths studies and has greatly inspired her peers.

Commenting on her award, Liv said: “I was really shocked to win this award – I didn’t expect it. There are so many other amazing mathematicians in the school, let alone across the whole country, so to be selected for this award was unbelievable. I’d like to say thank you to Mx Skelton and all my other teachers that have supported me to this point. I’m a passionate advocate for women and girls in maths and the STEM subjects, so I hope I can be an excellent role model to other young women.”

Owen Jones, Principal at Northampton Academy, said: “Very well done to Aarya and Liv on these exceptional national awards. Both Aarya and Liv are undoubtedly outstanding students and work hard to experience great academic success however, they also take the time to support their peers and give back to our school community. They are fantastic role models to all our young people and epitomise what it means to be a Northampton Academy student. Congratulations again to them both on these richly deserved awards.”

Bespoke videos announcing Aarya and Liv’s award wins have also been shared across United Learning’s social media platforms to coincide with the in-person ceremony, enabling the wider school community to join in the festivities.

United Learning extends its sincere thanks to Taylor Shaw and Lexington for their generous sponsorship and support of the event.