SEND school wins £5000 prize! Blackfriars Academy is Steelite's Oldest Plate Competition winner
Blackfriars Academy wins competition with plate from the 1970s
Steelite International is delighted to announce that Blackfriars Academy, a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been selected as the winner of the Steelite Oldest Plate Competition—receiving up to £5,000 worth of Steelite products in recognition.
The winning entry, a Steelite plate manufactured in the 1970s, remains in daily use at the school, serving students for nearly five decades. Its longevity and continued service reflect the enduring values of care, resilience and purpose that Steelite shares with institutions like Blackfriars Academy.
The competition, launched to celebrate the legacy and quality of Steelite's products, invited customers to submit photos and stories of their oldest Steelite ware still in use. Blackfriars' submission stood out not only for the plate's age but for the inspiring context in which it continues to play a role in the lives of students and staff.
This award comes at a critical time for the UK's SEND schools, many of which are navigating ongoing funding challenges. As part of the Shaw Education Trust, Blackfriars Academy is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment, and Steelite is proud to offer a contribution that supports this vital mission.
"We've really been impressed by the entries we've received for our first ever Oldest Plate Competition," says Ben Tearall, VP Sales for Steelite-Utopia. "Blackfriars Academy could not be a more deserving winner."
The winning plate's Royal Doulton Hotelware England Steelite backstamp indicates that it was made in the late 1970s. This means it's been in use for nearly fifty years and, as you might expect from school life, subject to hard use. Despite this the plate remains in fine condition. Its survival reflects Steelite's reputation for quality and durability, as shown in the company recent campaign: ‘The Strongest Name in Tableware'.
Beyond celebrating the strength and longevity of its products, Steelite hoped the competition would reveal the variety of stories from users of its products. These included all sorts of different sectors, from hotels and restaurants to schools and beyond.
The connection between Blackfriars Academy and Steelite is very personal, and one person in particular is central to all this: Jackie Onions. A Stoke-on-Trent resident, her connection to Blackfriars began nearly 40 years ago when her son attended the school. She would later work there for twenty years until retirement. For many ‘Stokies', given the city is the pottery capital of the world, an interest in tableware is not uncommon, and Jackie's dad was an employee of Steelite. Working at Ridgway Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent as it merged into Steelite, later becoming Steelite International, Mr Green's loyalty to the company was something he passed on to Jackie.
"Some of his happiest times were working with Steelite," recalls Jackie. "So Steelite is like a bit of home and a bit of my dad."
Although her father passed away many years ago, Jackie regularly keeps an eye out on the company's activity. She found out about the competition through Steelite's Facebook page and promptly got in touch with her friend and ex-colleague still working at the school, Karen Emmens, asking her to put aside any Steelite products she could find and send pictures for her to assess. Upon spotting the plate that would ultimately win, she told Karen to keep it safe, although her friend admits, it was still being used the day Jackie came to collect it!
Jackie commented: "I can't tell you how thrilled and moved I was to hear that Blackfriars Academy has won the ‘Oldest Plate' competition - and this with ware my father was key in developing. It feels incredibly special to see something he worked on, with such skill and dedication, still having the strength to be appreciated all these years later. To have that piece recognised through the school I was proud to be part of feels like everything has come full circle, an amazing blend of past and present, I am so proud to see my family's legacy and the school honoured in this way."
While the winner of Steelite's competition was ultimately chosen because of the age of its plate, the profoundly personal story and the shared locality between Steelite and Blackfriars is something important to both.
"One thing we're really proud of in this school is our link to the local community," says Jamie Campbell, Head Teacher at Blackfriars. "We are absolutely delighted to have won Steelite's Oldest Plate Competition. At a time when SEND schools like ours are facing increasing financial pressures this prize is more than just a win - it's a reminder of the strength of our community and the value of our history. The story behind the plate, and the connection to Jackie and her family, makes this moment even more special. We're proud to have such close links to Steelite and are grateful to them for supporting our school in such a meaningful way."
"We're thrilled our winner is from Stoke-on-Trent," says Ben. "Beyond the wonderful story, SEND schools like Blackfriars need support now more than ever. When our team visited them they saw firsthand the incredible work and passion of the staff. The difference their work makes to the lives of the pupils too is undeniable.
"Our winning plate has served practically a lifetime at its Blackfriars home already. Here's to many more years in service! We hope the £5000 prize alleviates some of the financial pressure the school faces, and we're proud to reinforce its connection to the Steelite-Utopia family."
For more information on Steelite-Utopia visit steelite-utopia.com.
Copy ends
Blackfriars Wins Steelite Comp PR-Jul-25
Press Enquiries:
Alison Haynes at The Publicity Works: 01263 761000;alison@publicityworks.biz
Josie Devine at Steelite-Utopia: jdevine@steelite.com
About Steelite-Utopia
Steelite-Utopia delivers a comprehensive and unmatched solution for the hospitality industry. Combining durable ceramic tableware with an extensive range of glassware, cutlery, buffet items, and lighting, they provide a cohesive productsuite designed to meet every need of dining and hospitality presentation. Their products balance resilience with style, adhering to the highest quality standards while enhancing the dining experience through thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship.