Key Points
- 248 students from Tower Hamlets were celebrated at the Education Awards 2025 held at Mile End Stadium on 27 September 2025.
- The awards recognised academic achievement, resilience, creativity, leadership, teamwork, integrity, and social contribution.
- Mayor Lutfur Rahman presented certificates and £50 vouchers to awardees.
- The event included speeches, performances, videos, and interactive activities co-led by young people.
- Students preparing for GCSEs, A-levels, or equivalent qualifications were nominated by their schools.
- Notable students included Harry Watson, accepted to Cambridge University to study medicine, and Hasin Abdul, going to UCL to study history and politics.
- The Education Awards are part of Tower Hamlets Council’s wider investment in youth, including £13.7 million in youth services and free school meals.
- Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar and Deputy Young Mayor Rochelle Lewis-Geary emphasised the importance of recognising diverse strengths and empowering young people.
- This event is in its second year and has become a key moment in the borough’s calendar.
What was the significance of the Tower Hamlets Education Awards 2025
As reported by the East London Advertiser, 248 students from across the borough were honoured at the Tower Hamlets Education Awards 2025 held at Mile End Stadium on 27 September 2025. The awards event was designed to celebrate not only academic excellence but also the personal resilience, creativity, kindness, social engagement, leadership, and teamwork of local young people nominated by their schools. The ceremony brought together students, families, schools, and community leaders to recognise the dedication and talent of Tower Hamlets youth.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, told attendees,
“Now in their second year, the Education Awards are quickly becoming one of my favourite moments in our borough’s calendar. Today we recognise not only academic achievement but also the resilience, creativity, and kindness that make our young people truly inspiring. Every student nominated is a credit to their school, their family, and Tower Hamlets as a whole”.
Who hosted and supported the event?
Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, praised the awards for highlighting the diverse strengths of students. She said,
“These awards reflect the diverse strengths of our students – from leadership and teamwork to integrity and innovation. It is wonderful to see their hard work celebrated and to acknowledge the role schools and families play in nurturing their potential. Together, we are helping to shape the future of Tower Hamlets”.
The event was co-hosted by Rochelle Lewis-Geary, Deputy Young Mayor of Tower Hamlets, who emphasised the role of youth leadership. Lewis-Geary said,
“Tower Hamlets is proud to celebrate the achievements of our young people in academics, creativity, leadership, and positive action. As Deputy Young Mayor, I’m honoured to represent a generation ready to lead change, bring fresh ideas, and help make our borough an even better place to live and learn”.
How were students nominated and recognised?
Each local authority-maintained, independent, and special school or college in Tower Hamlets was invited to nominate up to ten learners preparing for their GCSEs, A-levels, or equivalent qualifications. Nominations reflected a broad set of criteria covering academic achievement, curiosity, resilience, leadership, teamwork, integrity, creativity, and social contribution.
Students who received an Education Award were presented with a certificate by Mayor Lutfur Rahman and gifted with a £50 voucher to recognise their efforts.
Who were some of the notable students recognised at the awards?
Harry Watson from Bow School was one of the awardees, recognised for his academic efforts in A-levels where he achieved three A* grades. He shared his excitement, saying,
“I’m off to Cambridge University next week to study medicine – I’m feeling a bit nervous but looking forward to getting started. It will definitely be a challenge, but it’s always been a dream of mine to go to Cambridge”.
Hasin Abdul, also from Bow School, expressed pride in being recognised by the council for his achievements. He is going to University College London (UCL) to study history and politics of the Americas and said he felt “really positive about starting the next step in my education”.
Amina Drici from Stepney All Saints School also spoke positively about the event. She recently started sixth form and hopes to study medicine in the future. She praised the organisation and decoration of the awards ceremony.
What activities were part of the awards day?
Alongside the award presentations, the day featured speeches, performances, a video, and interactive activities. Importantly, young people played a central role in planning and delivering the event, giving them a platform to demonstrate leadership and creativity.
How does this awards event fit into wider youth investment in Tower Hamlets?
The Education Awards are part of a broader investment by Tower Hamlets Council in the educational journeys and wellbeing of children and young people. The council has invested £13.7 million in its youth service, Young Tower Hamlets, which offers over 100 free activities across youth centres and community settings.
Tower Hamlets was the first local authority in the country to introduce universal free school meals for all primary and secondary school pupils, saving families an average of £550 per child annually. Since the scheme’s start in September 2023, around two million extra free meals have been served to secondary pupils. Additionally, the council introduced School Clothing Grants this year for families with incomes up to £50,350, offering £50 per child for those entering primary school reception and £150 for children entering secondary school at Year 7.
How do community and educational leaders view the awards?
Mayor Lutfur Rahman extended congratulations to all award recipients, saying,
“You have all performed outstandingly, doing yourselves, your families, and your borough proud. As a council, we are committed to supporting your educational journeys, and we recognise the significance of investing in the future of every young person in our borough”.
Deputy Mayor Maium Talukdar echoed this sentiment, stating,
“It is an absolute privilege to see first-hand the incredible talent, determination and hard work of our young people. The Tower Hamlets Education Awards is our way of saying a huge congratulations to all of our students and educators for everything they have achieved, and to look forward to what is still to come”.
What other significant school and student awards are linked to this event?
Related events include the Tower Hamlets Virtual School Award Ceremony held earlier this year at the BT Headquarters, celebrating virtual school students’ achievements with guest speaker TV presenter Ashley John-Baptiste. This shows the borough’s wide-ranging commitment to recognising different student groups and educational pathways.
The Tower Hamlets Education Awards is a highlight annual event that showcases the community’s dedication to nurturing young talent and promoting educational attainment in all its forms.
