THE Warrington Guardian Schools Awards are back for 2019 - and we need your help to make sure they are the best yet.

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 Wednesday, July 10.

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 fourth year the event has been organised by the Warrington Guardian, and this year there are 12 categories up for grabs - including one new award.

Our Healthy Living Award aims to recognise those who are leading the way in encouraging mindfulness and positivity in their school.

Warrington Guardian editor Hayley Smith said: "The Schools Awards are without doubt one of the highlights of our calendar and we are always overwhelmed by the quality of nominations received.

"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."

HOW TO ENTER >

It is free to enter the 2019 Schools Awards.

You can send your nomination via the form in the Warrington Guardian, along with any supporting evidence, to editor Hayley Smith, Warrington Guardian Schools Awards 2019, Unit 4, 240 Cygnet Court, Warrington WA1 1PP, or alternatively send an email with the subject line ‘Warrington Guardian Schools Awards’ to competition@nqnw.co.uk. You can also enter by clicking the form below.

Please include as much detail as possible to support your reasons for the nomination. Images or video will also be welcomed.

Remember to include the name of the person you are nominating, their address, email and contact telephone number, plus your own name and contact details.

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 Thursday, May 23.

NOMINATE NOW > Click here to fill out a nomination form

Warrington Guardian:

Last year's Primary School Teacher of the Year 

THE 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 2019.

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 and 5 TEACHER OF THE YEAR (Primary and High School)

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.

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, 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 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARD

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.

10 HEALTHY LIVING AWARD

A new category for 2019, this award is for a year group, department or school that has made it a priority to encourage pupils to lead a healthy lifestyle. Nominations could focus on new mental health and well-being initiatives, sporting activities or environmental projects.

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.