HIGH standards in the world of education will come under the spotlight in the second annual Daily Echo School Awards.

Nominations are now open to allow members of the public to put forward those who really make a difference in local schools.

Last year saw hundreds of people celebrate the wide range of skills in the profession at a glittering awards ceremony. And the 2017 event will be even bigger and better with awards to be presented in 11 different categories.

Members of the public are urged to nominate people from all walks of school life, from headteachers and PE teachers to lunchtime supervisors and lollipop ladies.

An awards evening will take place at top Bournemouth independent school Talbot Heath on Friday March 17.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 10 and afterwards a panel of judges will be faced with the difficult decision of creating a shortlist and choosing an overall winner.

Three people will be shortlisted in each category and they, along with a guest of their choice, will be invited to the awards event.

Extra tickets can be purchased by family, friends and colleagues who wish to support the nominees.

At the ceremony, short films of each nominee will be shown to attendees before the winners are announced.

Now’s your chance to get some recognition for the people that make all the difference in local schools.

Daily Echo Editor Andy Martin said: “There is a lot of wonderful work going on in our schools, much of which goes unrecognised. This is an opportunity to reward those people who make a difference to the young people in this area. Last year’s event was a huge success and the awards evening was a very special event. We are looking forward to meeting the nominees for the 2017 awards.”

The Echo is offering local businesses and organisations the opportunity to get involved as partners or sponsors. 

So far this year’s awards are being sponsored by Bournemouth and Poole College, Two Counties Cleaning Services Limited and Blue Sky Financial Planning.

Trevor Jackson, Managing Director of Two Counties Cleaning Services Limited, said: “We are delighted to support the Daily Echo School Awards which celebrate education in the region. As one of the south coast’s leading contract cleaning suppliers to the education sector, it’s a natural fit for our business.

“We clean more than 100 schools across Hampshire and Dorset so we witness on a daily basis how much passion, professionalism and hard work is put in to making education a positive experience by those teaching and working in schools.

“We heard excellent things about the success of last year’s School Awards and we are proud to be associated in this year’s celebrations. Good luck to everyone entering. Whether you win or not, you deserve the recognition for doing such a great job with our young people.”

There are opportunities for two partners and a total of eleven category sponsors. Anyone who wishes to find out more should call Angela Boyer at the Daily Echo on 01202 411221.

The categories are:

  • Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year
  • Middle School Teacher of the Year- new for 2017
  • Secondary Teacher of the Year
  • PE Teacher of the Year
  • STEM Teacher of the Year - new for 2017
  • Newcomer of the Year
  • Supporting Staff Member of the Year
  • Art/Creative Team Member of the Year
  • Teaching Assistant of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Leadership Award

To nominate email schoolawards@bournemouthecho.co.uk with the following information: (click the email address to get a form with all the fields)

  • The Person you're nominating
  • Category
  • School
  • School address
  • Why you're nominating them in 500 words
  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your telephone number