Daily Echo:

ARE your teachers the best in the business? Do your support staff go above and beyond the call of duty? Is there an NQT who really stands out from the crowd?

If so they deserve a little recognition - and you can give them it with a nomination for the inaugural Daily Echo Education Awards.

If you would like to shine the spotlight on your staff, school or college the deadline is only a few weeks away.

Nominations are already open - but will close on February 3.

We are also looking for category sponsors so if your business is interested in benefiting from the exposure that the Daily Echo Education Awards provides, contact Natalie Sprake (natalie.sprake@dailyecho.co.uk) on 02380 424872 for details of the sponsorship packages available.

The categories are:

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

This category celebrates the achievements of those who are new into the profession, for example a newly qualified teacher. Entrants should have been in either primary or secondary education for no longer than two years.

SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

This category can include caretakers, support assistants, school crossing patrol people and other non-teaching staff. It is aimed at those who always give exceptional service and make a real difference to their educational establishment through their work.

LEADERSHIP AWARD

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement(s) of a Head teacher or senior leadership team member or governor who has made an exceptional contribution to education.

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION AWARD

This category is to celebrate achievement or dedication of governors, parents etc, who have shown dedication and commitment to their school or college on a voluntary basis.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD

This category is to celebrate the dedication of schools, students or teachers that have developed initiatives that forge strong links with their community.

INNOVATION AWARD

This category is to celebrate a new idea which has had a significant positive impact on children and young people or an educational establishment that has demonstrated a commitment to providing new opportunities for students.

NURSERY/PRIMARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement or dedication of individual nursery/primary phase teachers who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution to the life of their school or nursery.

MIDDLE/SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement or dedication of individual secondary phase teachers. We are looking for teachers who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution to their school.

COLLEGE/SIXTH FORM TEACHER OF THE YEAR

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement or dedication of individuals from college or sixth form phase. We are looking for teachers who inspire and engage students and make an exceptional contribution to their education establishment.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This category is for example to celebrate an individual or school that can demonstrate outstanding achievements for their educational establishment.

SCHOOL OR COLLEGE OF THE YEAR

This category is to recognise a school or college that is more than just an education establishment. Do students, parents and staff come together to create something truly special? It could be local community involvement, or a different approach to learning? This award is not just for those which achieve fantastic exam results – we’re looking for those which go the extra mile for their students.

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