Member Article

Barnsley education business short-listed for national excellence awards

A Barnsley-based education business has been shortlisted for two national awards which recognise excellence in the provision of teaching and learning supplies.

Cornerstones was announced as a finalist in two categories of the Education Resources Awards 2014.

The company is nominated as Supplier of the Year in the small business category; and its premium product, the Cornerstones Curriculum, is up for the Best Primary School Resource award.

The awards are organised by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), and winners will be announced at a gala dinner to be held at Birmingham’s National Motorcycle Museum during the Education Show 2014 in March.

Managing director of Cornerstones Melanie Moore said: “We are delighted to be nominated for two Education Resources Awards which represent the highest accolade in our industry.

“We established Cornerstones just three years ago and are determined to deliver resources which help schools plan and prepare rigorous and engaging creative learning experiences for children.

“We constantly strive to be innovative and be responsive to teachers’ needs. It is wonderful to gain national recognition for our products and services.”

BESA reported an unprecedented number of entries for their awards this year.

Director of BESA Caroline Wright said: “Once again our judges have assessed the very best in education, and the winners, who will be announced on March 21st, can be seen as exemplary companies with practical products that are fit for purpose and provide real value for money.”

Cornerstones, based at the Fields End Business Park in Goldthorpe, was set up in 2011 and sells creative teaching and learning materials to more than 650 primary schools in England and Wales.

Melanie Moore established Cornerstones with her co-directors Simon Hickton and Graham Bell, all of whom have 20 years’ experience in the teaching profession behind them. They now employ 27 people.

Cornerstones has also recently opened a new suite of training and meeting rooms available for hire at its Goldthorpe office complex and is developing an innovative multi-media hub to provide teachers with online learning resources to support the Cornerstones Curriculum.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .