The Royal Borough of Greenwich recognised the extraordinary achievements of its children and young people in care at the annual Children in Care Education Achievement Awards.
The evening, held on Friday 9 October at The Valley, celebrated inspirational stories from children as young as six.
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Post-16 Futures, said: “These awards are a celebration of the incredible children and young people who continue to show courage, resilience and determination, often in the face of challenges that many young people never have to experience.
“Success looks different for everyone. Whether it's making progress at school, developing a new skill, discovering a talent, building confidence, taking part in new experiences, or achieving excellent exam results, every achievement matters and every young person recognised tonight deserves to be celebrated. They embody what it means to be great in Greenwich.
“I'd also like to thank the foster carers, families, teachers, social workers and all those who support our young people to thrive. They play a vital role in helping children feel safe, supported and able to succeed.”
The ceremony opened with a samba drumming performance by the council's music service, featuring two children in care.
Awards were given for the following categories:
· Academic achievement and progress
· Achieving in all areas of school life
· Determination to excel and achieve
· Developing a positive attitude to education, showing resilience and maturity
· Make a difference
· Participating in Jamie’s Farm Virtual school
· Participating in Summer club
· Inspiring Young Adult of the Year 2026
· Wider educational and creative achievement
The council received a high number of nominations from schools, carers and professionals across the borough, highlighting the many ways children and young people in care are achieving and overcoming challenges. The nominations included stories of academic success, personal growth, resilience, creativity and determination.
To protect the privacy of the children and young people involved, names have been changed in the examples below.
Year 11 student, nominated for the Developing a Positive Attitude to Education award
“John (not their real name) has made a great start to his school and made significant progress throughout the year and should be extremely proud of how far he has come. He has shown growing resilience and determination in overcoming challenges that can, at times, make education and social situations more difficult for him. Through his perseverance and positive attitude, John has steadily developed his confidence, engagement, and ability to navigate the demands of the school.
“One of John’s greatest achievements this year has been the positive relationships he has built with both staff and peers. He has worked hard to develop trust, communication, and social connections, becoming an increasingly valued member of the community. His willingness to engage, seek support when needed, and continue pushing himself outside of his comfort zone demonstrates considerable maturity and personal growth. The resilience he has shown, alongside the progress he has made both personally and educationally, is a credit to his character and determination and this nomination is a well-deserved recognition of everything he has achieved.”
Year 7 student, nominated for the Determination to Excel award
“Zaid (not their real name) joined his school in January following a two-year gap in education and a lot of changes. While a phased transition was planned to help him settle, Zaid blew everyone away—he was an absolute joy from day one and embraced full-time school immediately. Entering Year 6 mid-year is a daunting challenge for any child, yet Zaid has shown remarkable resilience. He quickly formed some strong friendships and is consistently sociable, polite, and welcoming to everyone.
“Academically, his determination is unmatched; he has made significant progress, with dramatic improvements in his mathematics and handwriting. He also possesses a fantastic thirst for learning, especially in science, where his knowledge of the solar system shines. Zaid is incredibly kind to younger children, always helpful to staff, and carries a bright smile through everything.”
Year 4 student, nominated for the Academic Achievement and Progress award
Nicola (not their real name) is being nominated in recognition of her exceptional academic progress and commitment to her learning, particularly in reading. Over a relatively short period of time, Nicola has made outstanding gains in her reading, improving by approximately two years. This represents a significant and measurable achievement, demonstrating both her developing skills and her growing confidence as a learner. Nicola has fully engaged with additional support through targeted tutoring and is excelling within this provision. She approaches her sessions with focus, enthusiasm, and a clear determination to improve. The impact of this is evident in the rapid progress she has made, with her reading ability strengthening considerably because of her consistent effort and positive attitude.”
Could you foster?
Our selfless foster carers play a huge role in helping shape the future of young people in care. We urgently need more foster carers to provide children and young people with a safe and caring home while they are unable to live with their own families. Could you become a foster carer in Royal Greenwich? If you are interested in finding out more head to royalgreenwich.gov.uk/fostering