Ken Muir Award
What is the Ken Muir Award?
Introduced in 2025 by Powering Futures, the Ken Muir Award recognises exceptional achievement of learners who participated in the Powering Futures Challenge Level 6 qualification.
The award exists to honour those who demonstrate outstanding personal growth, effort, and resilience - qualities that often go unmeasured in traditional education settings.
The 2025 Awards Ceremony
The inaugural ceremony took place on June 25, 2025, celebrating 86 award recipients out of over 1,100 students who delivered final presentations. With 26 students attending the event in person.
Recipients included students from across Scotland, all nominated by teachers for their exceptional contributions.
How the winners were selected
Awarded to students who demonstrated:
Exceptional development of meta-skills (e.g., problem-solving, communication, resilience).
Success in delivering real-world sustainability solutions through Powering Futures.
Outstanding collaboration, confidence, and leadership in their team-based challenges.
We are especially proud that this award carries the name of Professor Kenneth Muir CBE, one of Scotland’s most respected and principle voices in education. Over a distinguished career, Professor Muir has served as Chief Inspector at Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education and as Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland. His leadership has shaped national policy, and his work continues to champion a more inclusive, learner-centred education system - one that values skills, character, and contribution alongside formal attainment.
In 2021, Professor Muir led a national review of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland. His landmark report, Putting Learners at the Centre, called for a renewed focus on recognising the full breadth of achievement - placing young people and their potential at the heart of the education system.
This award reflects that vision.
Watch to hear a personal message from Ken Muir
Teachers and peers nominated standout pupils. Each entry was assessed by Powering Futures based on significant personal or project-related achievements throughout the year.
