Make their year at The Educate Awards

The Educate Awards is calling for the region’s schools to nominate their inspiring teachers and support staff who are making a real difference.

The Educate Awards will return for its fifth year in November; an annual celebration which aims to showcase the brilliance within the region’s education sector. Open to all schools in the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and Lancashire, the awards are the biggest of its kind and cover every aspect of a school’s curriculum, teaching and staff.

Supported by leading businesses in education, sponsors so far include MerseySTEM, The Foundry Agency, Greater Merseyside Learning Providers’ Federation (GMLPF), eCadets, Merseyside Network for Collaborative Outreach (MNCO), School Improvement Liverpool Ltd, Liverpool John Moores University, PCS Law and the Witherslack Group Ltd.

The Educate Awards believes dedicated teachers and support staff are the lifeblood of a school. The Teacher of the Year and School Support Star of the Year awards recognise those who inspire children every day and create a fun, rewarding environment – both in and out the classroom.

Nominations for the coveted Teacher of the Year award are now open and once again this category is looking for a teacher who brings learning to life. Passion, encouragement, dedication, patience and energy are all words which have been used to describe past winners, and this year is looking for nothing less.

This year also sees the introduction of a new award which aims to recognise the amazing support staff who make a lasting contribution for pupils. The School Support Star of the Year award is open to all primary and secondary school support staff, including, but not limited to, teaching assistants, office staff, community coordinators and business managers.

Award nominations can be made by anyone with links to a school and are completely free, either made online or via post.

Sue Shinkfield, chief executive of School Improvement Liverpool, which is sponsoring the School Support Star award, said: “School Improvement Liverpool is excited and privileged to be associated with the Educate Awards 2016. We chose to sponsor Support Star of the Year in recognition of the hugely valuable contribution made by support staff in schools.

“Far less the unsung heroes they may once have been but sometimes still not always first in line when it comes to recognising the contribution they make to learning and to subsequent positive outcomes. Support staff are valued partners in the education of our children and young people. They are part of the school’s staff team and therefore the whole school community. Pupils need great teachers AND great support staff; together they can transform the educational experience for the children and young people they work with.”

Kim O’Brien, executive editor of Educate Magazine, adds: “We would encourage anyone who has contact with a teacher or support staff member to submit a nomination this year. We’ve already received some fantastic entries which have really set the bar high and are full of enthusiasm, passion and drive.

“If you know an extraordinary individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty in a school setting, don’t delay and submit an entry, it could make their year!”