Descendants 20th annual achievement awards 2025: Nominations open!

Schools are invited to nominate pupils of African and Caribbean descent to receive an achievement award from the Descendants' 20th annual Dr John Roberts QC CBE Achievement Awards 2025.

The event this year is particularly special as it marks the 20th anniversary of the achievement awards.

Nomination categories

Schools are invited to nominate students of African and Caribbean descent from Year 5 to Year 13 who they believe meet the following categories:

1. Student who excels in all areas of their education
2. Students who work hard and achieve against all the odds
3. Students who excel in the arts
4. Students who excel in sports
5. Students who excel in STEM
6. Students with entrepreneurial qualities
7. Future leaders.

Nomination forms

Complete the appropriate online nomination form:

• Y5 and Y6 primary school pupil nomination form
• Y7 to Y13 high school pupil nomination form
• Y5 and Y6 special primary school pupils nomination form
• Year 7 onwards special high school pupils nomination form

Closing date for nominations is Friday 23 May 2025.

Supporting evidence

Please submit any supporting information by emailing descendantscharity@gmail.com via WeTransfer.

Evidence may include but is not limited to:

• copies of artwork
• testimonials
• short video clips
• a character reference
• acknowledgement of any achievements the young person has received from your school.

This will be reviewed by the judging panel. Therefore, the more compelling evidence we receive, the better the chances of the young person being shortlisted. Please note, winners are only announced on the night of the awards ceremony.

Awards ceremony

The awards event will be held on Saturday 12 July 2025 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Ealing.

Descendants Charity

History

Following the sudden and untimely death of her sister Kim Noel in 2004, Margaret Noel, Descendants' founder and director, formed an idea of establishing an achievement awards, with a focus on 'Against All odds'.

In 2005 Descendants Charity established an achievement awards ceremony in the borough of Ealing for Children of African and Caribbean descent, primary, secondary and special or additional needs children.

Margaret wrote to all schools in Ealing and also to Tim Campbell who had recently won the Alan Sugar, BBC1 Apprentice show, who accepted her invitation.

This was a turning point in the planning. From having no money, just an idea and a vision, Tim Campbell told us to use his name to assist in developing the idea and getting people interested. With the information that Tim Campbell would be attending as a special guest, we placed an article with the Gazette, Jane Harrison was very supportive.

Schools became interested and began nominating their pupils. Berenice Miles, from Ealing education department was very supportive of the vision and offered Descendants a grant to hold the event. Ealing Council supported the idea of the achievement awards.

The 1st achievement awards was a remarkable success, thanks to Tim Campbell, Descendants' volunteers and one special volunteer Michael who worked closely with me.

Twentieth anniversary

This year as we mark the 20th anniversary, I again approached Tim Campbell and he has graciously accepted. We are honoured to have this humble man attend.

The awards ceremony has grown and developed over the past 20 years.

We have celebrated some remarkable and outstanding pupils, both primary and secondary. The awards are supported by our past Alumni who are also our ambassadors. These young people are shining examples of young people of African and Caribbean descent.

Support

Descendants' achievement awards has gained support from the various mayors, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Mason and other notable leaders in the Ealing education department.

Descendants has gained support from many celebrities including Kwame-Kwi amarh, Ronke Phillips, Alex Beresford, Rudolph Walker, to name a few.

The awards ceremony has gone from strength to strength. Over the last 20 years, Ealing council has continually supported the event, in terms of a grant and most importantly assisting with engaging schools to nominate.

This year, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary, we are excited to receive the inspirational and moving nominations from schools for the class of 2025.

Descendants are very appreciative for the support and help of all schools who nominate.

Thank you!

Contact

If you have any questions then please contact Descendants:
Email: descendantscharity@gmail.com
Tel: 07745 889521