2026 Independent Education Awards

Enter the 2026 Independent Education Awards and gain international recognition for excellence in non-state education. These awards celebrate innovation and impact across private, alternative, and independent learning environments around the world.

Whether you’re delivering highly personalised learning, supporting adult learners, or driving progress in special needs education or professional development, these awards offer a platform to share your success. With categories covering accessibility, community impact, CPD, and client experience, the awards reflect the diversity and value of education beyond the state system.

Submit your entry to showcase your achievements to a global audience of education leaders, partners, and changemakers.

Awards Entry Closing: 20th February 2026

Awards Entries Opening Soon!

Before you enter - What you need to know

Free entry in all sectors and categories

We know that many small business owners, entrepreneurs and larger organisations don’t like to pay up front for awards, where fees range from £99 to more than £200 per category. With us, all your entries are free.​

You only pay a fee if you win an award

It just makes sense. Why pay an entry fee when you get nothing in return? If you enter an award sector with Altaris Business Awards and win, you pay an Award Acceptance Fee, then enjoy a raft of benefits for winning.

Publicity Package

As a winner or finalist, you get credible industry recognition & publicity from National press releases through Google News, outlets such as AP News & Benzinga, and newswires.​

Included

Social Marketing

Social media marketing is important for all businesses, which is why we announce your accolades on social platforms, and regularly engage with you and your followers.​

Included

Focused PR

Select winners may be chosen for the creation of additional free in-depth PR content, highlighting the success of your business and making you a trusted voice in your industry.​

Included

Our Fees

Winner

£375 +VAT

Award Acceptance Fee

Finalist

£0

Free. Forever.

Trophy

£99 +VAT

Per Additional Trophy

*We offer free mainland UK delivery. For delivery to other locations, please view our shipping policy.

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Driven by SMEs of all sizes

Our ethos is simple: all businesses should be treated equally, and your achievements should be judged based on achievement alone. We have structured our awards and judging process so that everyone is on an equal footing – from Lone Wolf to Corporate Enterprise.

Entries are judged based on merit – not on bank balance or size of the company. We’re not “pay to play” like some of our competitors.

Directors Dan Trindade and Mark Byrne developed the Altaris Business Awards model around the suggestions and needs of business owners.

With strong business backgrounds and a network of high-level contacts from some of the UK’s most notable firms, Dan and Mark set out to change the way UK awards were managed, giving back as much as possible to the community.

Inclusive
Business Awards.

Our
Judges.

UK Business Experts

Our judging panel are business experts with a wealth of knowledge in various industries. They lend their experience and business acumen to the many award sectors we cover.

Our panel consists of dozens of private & public guest judges; below are a few of our business experts who will be selecting shortlists, winners and finalists in our awards!

Interested in being a guest judge? Contact us here.

2026 Independent Education Awards Categories

CategoryDescription
Independent Educator of the YearCelebrating an outstanding educator working in the independent or non-state education sector who has made a meaningful and measurable impact on learners and learning outcomes.
Best for Accessible EducationRecognising a provider that has made education more accessible through inclusive practices, adaptive learning, and removal of participation barriers.
Best for Personalised LearningHonouring institutions or educators who excel in tailoring education to individual learner needs, goals, and circumstances.
Rising Star AwardCelebrating an emerging educator or organisation showing early excellence, innovation, and strong potential for influence in the independent education sector.
Exceptional Client ExperienceRecognising providers that consistently deliver high satisfaction and service quality across the learner journey.
Best Family BusinessHighlighting a family-run education business that combines strong values with operational excellence and learner impact.
Fastest Business GrowthRecognising an education provider that has achieved rapid, sustainable growth in reach, services, or learner base.
Best for Continuing Professional DevelopmentHonouring providers of outstanding CPD that demonstrably enhance professional capability and career progression.
Community Impact AwardRecognising educational organisations that have delivered measurable social or community benefit through learning initiatives or outreach.
Diversity and Inclusion ChampionCelebrating organisations that prioritise equity, inclusion, and representation in education access, staffing, and delivery.
Best for Careers AdviceHonouring excellence in preparing learners for career success through high-quality, personalised careers guidance.
Best for Adult LearningRecognising institutions or programmes that support adult learners through flexible, relevant, and outcomes-focused education.
Best Private or Independent SchoolCelebrating a non-state school that demonstrates exceptional standards in teaching, learning, pastoral care, and learner outcomes.
Best Additional Learning Needs ProvisionHonouring education providers that deliver outstanding support for learners with additional needs, ensuring inclusive and personalised development.

2026 Independent Education Awards Entry Form

Entries Close 20th February 2026

Need help completing your entry form?
If you need any assistance completing this form, please contact us:

Award winning entries typically provide over 500 words providing meaningful and relevant details related to the categories they have entered. Telling us why you are entering these particular categories tends to help. Be specific: for example, if the category is Fastest Growing Company, provide details of how your company has grown and include basic revenue figures (eg. YoY £/%) so we can get a feel for the business growth you’re experiencing. Where possible and relevant to do so, including links to reviews/testimonials and digital assets to support your entry will also help.

EXAMPLE 500-WORD ENTRY:

Introducing Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd., a groundbreaking British company at the forefront of technological advancements, spearheaded by its Founder and CEO, Dr. Elizabeth Cavendish. Dr. Cavendish has redefined the boundaries of innovation, earning her a well-deserved nomination for the Most Innovative Business Leader award in the Business Leader Awards 2023.

Established in 2019, Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd. was the brainchild of Dr. Cavendish, a renowned physicist and serial entrepreneur with a track record of developing ground-breaking technologies. Recognising the need for a radical shift in our approach to tackling global challenges, Dr. Cavendish envisioned a company that would act as a catalyst for disruptive ideas and transformative solutions.

Under Dr. Cavendish’s visionary leadership, Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd. has rapidly become a game-changer in the fields of renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and sustainable materials. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and calculated risk-taking has made the company an incubator for breakthrough ideas that revolutionise industries.

A prime example of Dr. Cavendish’s innovative prowess is the company’s flagship project, “HelioSynth”. This pioneering solar technology harnesses the power of artificial photosynthesis, converting sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into clean, sustainable energy. By effectively replicating nature’s most efficient energy conversion process, Dr. Cavendish’s brainchild has the potential to transform the renewable energy sector and contribute significantly to reducing the world’s carbon footprint.

However, Dr. Cavendish’s innovative spirit does not stop at scientific advancements. Under her leadership, Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd. has adopted a unique, forward-thinking approach to its organisational structure and management style. By embracing a flat hierarchy and encouraging open communication, the company cultivates an environment where creativity and experimentation are nurtured, and unconventional ideas are celebrated.

In addition to fostering innovation within her own company, Dr. Cavendish is committed to nurturing the next generation of trailblazers. Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd. actively collaborates with academic institutions and young entrepreneurs, offering research grants, mentorship programmes, and innovation challenges aimed at supporting emerging talent and driving groundbreaking ideas forward.

Dr. Cavendish is also an ardent advocate for diversity and inclusion in the world of technology and innovation. Through various company initiatives, such as scholarships and outreach programmes, she champions the inclusion of underrepresented groups in the sector, believing that true innovation can only be achieved by tapping into the wealth of diverse perspectives and experiences.

Beyond her achievements at Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd., Dr. Cavendish is a thought leader in her own right. A sought-after speaker at industry conferences and events, she shares her insights on the future of technology, sustainability, and innovation, inspiring others to think boldly and challenge the status quo.

In summary, Dr. Elizabeth Cavendish’s exceptional track record as the driving force behind Quantum Leap Innovations Ltd., her relentless pursuit of transformative ideas, and her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, make her an exemplary candidate for the Most Innovative Business Leader award in the Business Leader Awards 2023. By recognising her achievements, we celebrate not only her visionary leadership but also the immense potential for positive change that she represents.