Philip Lawrence Awards Network

The Philip Lawrence Awards were set up in memory of Head Teacher Philip Lawrence who was killed outside his school in 1995 after going to the aid of a pupil who was being attacked by a gang.

Philip believed in the huge potential of young people to make a difference and to achieve great things.

His widow, Frances Lawrence, continues Philip’s legacy by championing young people and their achievements. She campaigned to establish the Philip Lawrence Awards and in 1997 Rt Hon Michael Howard, the then Home Secretary funded the first Philip Lawrence Awards. They have run each year since then with the support of the Home Office and since 2009 the added support of the Department for Education.

PLAnet, the Philip Lawrence Awards Network, was launched in December 2009, intended to bring a new dimension to the awards and to give young people more opportunities to get involved. We want to show everyone just how many groups of young people are doing extraordinary things for their communities: leading the way, crossing divides, building bridges between young people and adults, and making their communities stronger and safer.

The Philip Lawrence Awards always have young people at their heart and PLAnet is a showcase for their achievements.

The Philip Lawrence Awards Network is managed by Nacro.

Check out our magazine, published in association with Children and Young People Now. It’s packed with inspiring stories from past winners, young people’s ideas about changing their communities, and lots of information about PLAnet and how you can get involved. Browse the magazine below, and click on it to view and read it full size.