Sixth Form students at the event from left: Jack Burdess, Flyn Waites, Elliot Metcalfe, AJ Pye, Leon Rudd, Hudson Maddison, Bez Umoru and Codey Austin.
Year 12 students at King James I Academy have won ‘The KEY+ Pitch Innovators of the Year’ award at The Key Awards 2026, which was held at Newcastle Crowne Plaza.
As a charity, The Key began life in the late 1970s; the aim was to empower young people and provide them with opportunities to have a voice and lead their own activities. To make this possible, young people can apply for funding in stages 1-3 to organise activities and events that will benefit them on a personal level, or indeed benefit their community in some way. King James has an extensive personal development programme with activities designed to help students build a host of life skills, but by introducing The Key, students have even more opportunities.
The winning team at The Key Awards, who call themselves The Gourmet Gurus, have successfully completed both stages 1 and 2, but it was their creative video pitch for stage 2 which impressed the judging panel the most and earned them the winning title. As Sixth Form Media students with access to green screen technology, film making equipment and editing software, the team decided to present their pitch for funding documentary style, complete with team branding, original footage and music.
Codey Austin, a member of the winning team said, “I didn’t have a lot of confidence in my ability to plan and organise something independently before taking part in The Key+ Challenge, but I’ve developed so many skills since joining the programme. I’m much better at communicating and solving problems now so I believe in myself more. Winning this award and getting up on stage at the event was a great feeling.”
King James I Academy also claimed runner-up in ‘The Key Outstanding Partner of the Year’ category, and Mrs Mulryan and Mr Blood celebrated runner-up recognition in the category for ‘Exceptional Key+ Facilitator of the Year’.
Sixth Former, Elliot Metcalfe, who also took part in The Key+ Challenge said, “This programme has really helped me to develop skills in public speaking and leadership, which I’m sure I will use in later life. I have enjoyed working in a team on a real project with a budget, transport and risk assessment to consider.”
