Warrington Guardian Schools Awards are BACK and FREE to enter

Our annual awards ceremony is a celebration of Warrington's most inspiring pupils, teachers and schools and the winners will be invited to a special presentation evening at the Village Hotel on Thursday, June 21.

Now judges are urging parents, teachers and staff members to nominate anyone who they believe deserves to be recognised for their efforts over the past year.

It is the third year the event has been organised by the Warrington Guardian, and this year there are 12 categories up for grabs - including two new awards.

Special Needs Teacher of the Year aims to recognise those who work tirelessly to help children with additional needs, while the Community Champions Award is to reward those who play an active role in helping to make Warrington a better place, either through fundraising, performing or helping the most vulnerable in our society.

Warrington Guardian editor Hayley Smith said: "Despite increasing pressures on budgets, targets and performance there is some incredibly inspiring work being undertaken each and every day and we know it doesn’t finish when the final school bell rings.

"This is your chance to shout about those who have gone above and beyond to help others and have made a real difference in their nurseries, schools or colleges.

"Whether it's a teacher, governor, caretaker, pupil, sports team or choir, we want to hear about what makes them great."

It is free to enter the awards and there is no limit on the number of nominations you can make.

All applications will be considered but the judges' decision is final.

The deadline for entries is Friday, May 4.

Our 2017 Warrington Guardian class of the year - year three at Penketh South Primary School

HOW TO ENTER:

It is free to enter the 2018 Schools Awards.

Send your nomination along with any supporting evidence, to editor Hayley Smith, Warrington Guardian Schools Awards 2018, Unit 4, 240 Cygnet Court, Warrington WA1 1PP, or alternatively send an email with the subject line 'Warrington Guardian Schools Awards' to hayley.smith@nqnw.co.uk.

Please include as much detail as possible, including the name of the person you are nominating, their address, email and contact telephone number, plus your own name and contact details.

Or you can fill out an entry form by clicking here. 

This year's categories are:

1 CLASS/TEAM OF THE YEAR

Do you know a class or team that deserves to be rewarded? It may be a sports team that has gone the extra mile, an after-school club that has carried out outstanding work in the community, or a class of primary or high school pupils that have excelled in their studies or on a special project. We want to find the top team for 2018.

2 PUPIL/STUDENT OF THE YEAR

This award is for a child or teenager in full time education who deserves special recognition. Whether they have excelled academically, achieved excellence in their extra-curricular activities, or had to overcome adversity to succeed, we want to hear about your hardworking children.

3 TEACHING ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR

This award is for a dedicated teaching assistant who has made a real difference in their school, someone who shows kindness and compassion to the children they care for in their day to day school life and plays a vital role in their wellbeing and happiness.

4 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Do you know a top teacher or NQT who inspires their pupils or students to fulfil their potential? The winner of this category will have made an exceptional contribution to the school or college they work in and will go over and above to provide the best opportunities for the children they teach.

5 SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

A new category this year, this award is to recognise members of staff who work tirelessly within special needs education. They may have gone to great lengths to not only support students with special needs but also children in care or families going through difficult situations.

6 HEAD TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Is your head teacher head and shoulders above the rest? For this award we want to recognise an inspirational primary or high school head teacher who has shown exceptional leadership skills and commitment and provided a dynamic learning environment at their school or college.

7 UNSUNG HERO AWARD

This award is open to any member of non-teaching staff who plays a key role in the smooth running of their school or college. Whether it is a midday assistant, cook, caretaker, governor, PTA volunteer, administrative staff or school crossing patrol assistant, tell us who your unsung heroes are.

8 EARLY YEARS AWARD

This award will go to a childminder, nursery, school or organisation that provides exceptional early years provision. Let us know what impact their efforts have had on the nursery or children in their care.

9 INNOVATION AWARD

This is for an individual or school/organisation that has been inspirational in providing new opportunities for its students and helping them achieve their goals through exciting, innovative and creative projects.

10 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARD

Another new category for 2018, this award is for an individual, class, year group or whole school who play an active role in their community. Whether it is raising money for charity, performing for others or helping the most vulnerable, we want to hear about the fantastic work they do to help make Warrington a better place.

11 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Does your primary or high school stand out from the rest? Not only do we want to hear about academic achievement, we also want to see entries that demonstrate how your children have developed in ways that go beyond the league tables. Whatever your school’s achievements, whether it is through competition success, improving attendance levels, developing healthy living policies or building better relationships with parents and the wider community, this is your chance to shout about how great your school is.

12 JUDGES SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This prestigious award is open to nominations from pupils, parents, school staff and teachers as we look to honour a person who has had a significant and positive impact on education in Warrington over a period of years. If you know someone who deserves recognition for their unwavering hard work and dedication, make sure you tell us about them.