Get your tickets for Daily Echo's first ever School Awards!

After receiving hundreds of nominations a team of judges have picked the 27 finalists across the nine categories.

All our finalists should now have been contacted and invited to our glamorous awards ceremony at Bournemouth’s Cumberland Hotel on the East Cliff on Thursday, March 17.

Each nominee will receive a free ticket and a plus one additional tickets can be purchased by family, friends and colleagues who want to support you on the night.

Tickets for the event are now on sale and are priced at £45 or tables of 10 for £395.

Call 01202 411233 or email anna.zienkovicz@bournemouthecho.co.uk.

Bournemouth University journalism lecturer Andy Bissell, who was one of the judges on the panel, said: “All of the entries were so inspirational and moving in many instances and all of them are a credit to the teaching profession.

“What came through is that a good teacher can profoundly impact young people’s lives in a positive way.

“There’s no better showcase for the quality of teaching in the Dorset area than these awards.”

The aim of the awards is to celebrate not only teachers and school leaders but all the support staff who go the extra mile to enhance the education of young people across Dorset and its borders.

The awards have also struck a chord with two local businesses which have signed up as partners for the competition.

Global education company School Business Services Ltd (SBS), which has its head office in Poole, provides professional services to schools across the UK and overseas.

And the area’s newest music emporium Freestyle, guitars and accessories in Holton Heath Trading Park is also a partner for the awards.

Vocalzone Throat Pastilles is the latest business to sign up to sponsor one of the awards on the night.

There’s still a chance to get involved by sponsoring an individual award. Anyone interested should contact Angela Boyer (sales and events manager) on 01202 411221.