Sunday 20th Sep 2026
St Stephen's CE Primary School has been awarded the Bury SACRE AWARE Award (Award for Widening Achievement in RE), which celebrates schools that demonstrate excellence in helping pupils develop their understanding of religion and worldviews through high-quality teaching and enrichment opportunities.
The school is only the eighth primary school in Bury to receive the accolade, with just 10 schools across the borough having achieved the award so far.
The Bury SACRE panel praised several aspects of the school’s provision, including its commitment to staff training in religious education, the sharing of best practice across the school and the work of its pupil Faith Ambassadors.
Inspectors also highlighted opportunities for children to share their learning with families through worship, as well as the use of visitors and first-hand experiences to deepen pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs.
Isabel Potter, RE lead at St Stephen’s, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the AWARE Award.”
“It is a fantastic recognition of the breadth and quality of RE across our school and the opportunities we give children to explore different religions and worldviews. It reflects the hard work of our staff and the enthusiasm of our children.”
Headteacher Sally Denney welcomed the education award, saying: “We are delighted to receive this recognition from Bury SACRE.”
“Our children are encouraged to ask questions, explore different perspectives and develop a thoughtful understanding of the diverse world around them. The AWARE Award is a wonderful acknowledgement of the work taking place across our school.”
The achievement will be marked with a special visit from Alan Beedie, chair of Bury SACRE, who has asked to present the award and certificate to the school in person.
The award recognises St Stephen’s commitment to fostering respect, curiosity and understanding, helping pupils gain valuable insight into the diverse communities and beliefs that make up modern Britain.