NAMSS Awards Launched

We are delighted to announce the launch of our annual awards, aimed at celebrating and showcasing the hard work, dedication and impact of student services across the further education and skills sector in the UK.

Categories

  • Student Services Team of the Year
  • Newcomer of the Year
  • Inspirational Project of the Year

Nominations – All nominations must be submitted electronically and received no later than 12noon on Tuesday 12 January 2027.

Submissions must be received using the published electronic application form – https://bit.ly/namssaward27

A maximum of 3 sides of A4 supporting evidence can also be submitted via email to info@namss.ac.uk    This may include testimonials, reviews, outcome statistics, pictures, articles or images taken from websites, newspapers, newsletters etc Links to websites, videos or other digital content will not be considered as part of the submission.

Submissions must include the details of a single representative in relation to the Team nomination.  If that representative cannot attend the NAMSS Conference Gala Dinner, on Monday 1 March in Liverpool, to collect the award an alternative colleague can do so.

Deadline – The final deadline for all nominations and supporting evidence to be received is Tuesday 12 January 2027 at 12noon.

Entry Criteria – Any organisation who is a member of NAMSS is eligible to nominate and enter the awards. Only one nomination per category will be accepted per organisation.  Where multiple nominations are received, the first nomination received will be used for judging in the relevant category.

Timeline

September 2026 – Awards launch and nominations open

12 January 2027 – Closing date for entries, 12noon

February 2027  – Shortlisting and final judging panels. Shortlisted members to be notified in the week commencing 1 February

1 March 2027 – Awards announced during the NAMSS Conference Gala Dinner at the Hilton Liverpool City Centre

Judging – Judging panels will be made up of members of the NAMSS Executive team with each nomination being scored against the award criteria.

Award Prizes – There will be one winner per category who will be presented with a certificate and award for display in their college along with £500 to spend on a team activity or departmental resource.

Sharing Practice – Winners and those shortlisted for an aware will be expected to share information about their nomination via either a NAMSS Online Share Practice session or, a pre-recorded piece.

Award Criteria

Award 1: Student Services Team of the Year

This award aims to highlight the outstanding and valuable work of a student services team. The team can be from any student support discipline including careers, wellbeing, student funds, student union / engagement, enrichment.

Your award submission should;

  • Highlight tangible outputs and sustained impact of your chosen team
  • Promote diversity and inclusion
  • Outline the impact of the team on students and the wider college community

Award 2: Newcomer of the Year

This award will celebrate an extraordinary individual who is new to a student services team. The nominee should have joined the team since 1 September 2025.

Your award submission should;

  • Outline why the nominee is a worthy recipient of this award – what have they done and what impact has this had?
  • Include feedback from students and/or staff which supports the rationale for the nomination
  • Demonstrate how the nominee’s work or actions has gone above and beyond to add value to the team and the wider college community

Award 3: Inspirational Project of the Year

This award recognises the impact of an innovative project which has made a significant difference to the student, team or college experience and/or outputs.

Your award submission should;

  • Exemplify an idea or initiative which have positively impacted the experience of students and/or staff
  • Demonstrate how the project has impacted vulnerable and disadvantaged students (this may include widening participation)
  • Foster a culture of collaboration and innovation
  • Have robust impact measures which demonstrate sustained impact
  • Outline quality assurance measures and, where applicable, any plans for future sustainability of the project

Nomination form:  https://bit.ly/namssaward27

Thank you to those that nominate and good luck to those put forward!