POOLE’S very own music emporium has signed up as a partner for the Daily Echo School Awards.

Freestyle, guitars and accessories in Holton Heath Trading Park not only provides music enthusiasts with a place to buy guitars, amps and drum kits but gives them a recording space and a live music venue to perform.

But it is not just a place for experienced musicians, as managing director Mark Patrick believes it’s important to teach all youngsters how to play a musical instrument.

Mark and his band of merry men and women already provide parent and toddler music sessions as well as music lessons for older children, teenagers and adults.

This is part of the reason Mark has signed Freestyle up as a partner for Echo’s School Awards.

“Here at Freestyle we wanted to create something that would be an all-through experience for musicians," said Mark.

"But what is really important is to provide young people with an opportunity to be interested in music.

“I was lucky I fell in love with music from a young age but not all children have that.

“A lot of kids could do so much more with music if they were inspired to do so which is why I jumped at the chance to get involved with celebrating those teachers that inspire our children."

You can visit their website at freestyle.guitars

The competition aims to reward excellence in education from school leaders to lunchtime supervisors and of course music teachers.

It is down to members of the public to nominate those who make their local schools special – and so far we have received dozens of recommendations.

Nominations are sought in nine different categories and include not only teachers, and school leaders but all the and support staff who go the extra mile to enhance the education of young people across Dorset and its borders.

From now until the February 5 deadline you can complete the nomination form on the Daily Echo's website to submit your nomination.

After the deadline expires, a specially-selected panel of judges will whittle the nominations down to three in each category.

The 27 people shortlisted, along with a guest of their choice, will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony at Bournemouth’s Cumberland Hotel on the East Cliff on Thursday, March 17 next year.

If you would like to get involved as a partner - or if you would like to sponsor one of the awards - please contact Angela Boyer (sales and events manager) on 01202 411221.

The categories are:

  • Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year n Middle/Secondary Teacher of the Year
  • Newcomer of the Year (nominees in education for less than two years)  
  • Supporting Staff Member of the Year (eg lunchtime supervisor, school-crossing supervisor)
  • Art/Creative Team Member of the Year
  • Teaching Assistant of the Year n Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Leadership Award (head teacher or senior leadership team member)
  • PE Teacher of the year.