One of the key sponsors of The Northern Echo’s North East Education Awards says the event is exactly what is needed after the most challenging of academic years.
New College Durham is sponsoring the School Of The Year Award, which honours the school or college which has been on the biggest journey in the past 12 months.
Deputy Principal Alison Maynard said “We are a leading education provider in the area, so every day we are working very closely with schools across the region that are key partners for us as we look to continue the best possible experience for our young people.
“Pupils have been here to see the campus and have had taster days of what they can expect, all aimed at getting them towards positive destinations at the start of their careers.
“The award was exactly the right thing for us to support at this time. It has never been more important during lockdowns and isolations to applaud schools that are well-run and where pupils respond to measures that have been put in place at such a challenging period in their lives.
“It is always paramount for us to get the right student on the right course, so working closely with schools and opening our doors to share their ambitions and aspirations means we get to know them all personally and can help them achieve what they deserve at every level of their education.
“The Echo awards celebrate this success and we knew we had to be part of that. The schools who have entered all deserve huge praise.”
The event aims to raise the profile of local educators and recognise the fantastic achievements from primary and secondary schools, teachers, governors, support staff and pupils.
This year the awards night will be held virtually on Thursday, September 30th
The categories this year are:
Nursery or Primary School Teacher Of The Year
This award celebrates the outstanding achievement or dedication of individual primary or nursery phase teachers, who are inspirational to their pupils through exciting and engaging teaching and make an exceptional contribution to life at their school or nursery.
Secondary School Teacher Of The Year
This award recognises the outstanding work and dedication of teachers in secondary schools, who are perfect role models for their students and providing inspirational and engaging teaching and have had a huge impact on their school in the past 12 months.
Newcomer Of The Year
This award celebrates the successes of teachers new to the profession, such as newly qualified teachers. Entrants should only have been in education at any level for a maximum of two years, and in that time proved valuable, born teachers for the school, raising morale and standards amongst pupils and staff.
Supporting Staff Member Of The Year
This award is open to teaching assistants, caretakers, dinner staff, pastoral and support staff and any other non-teaching staff, who always go above and beyond to benefit the children at their school, have proven a vital cog in the machine of the school over the past 12 months, and make a real difference for both teachers and students at their school.
Headteacher Of The Year
This award recognises the heads of schools who are shining beacons of leadership in the education sector, who have made a significant contribution to education at their school, guiding their teams of staff and students with superb skills and being the perfect representative for their school.
Community Involvement Of The Year
This award honours the staff at schools who are passionate about making sure their school and pupil take pride in the area where they are based and ensuring the school is integral part of the local community. Whether it be a adult education lessons, litter picks, community improvement schemes or regular fairs for neighbours to visit, we want to hear about the people who put their school at the heart of the community.
Governor Of The Year
This award recognises the crucial role governors play in the operation of schools, and the ideas and plans they create which have significantly positive impact on pupils, and the ongoing commitment they have to the school giving up their precious time to ensure children get the best possible education they deserve.
Star Student (Under 16) Of The Year
This award celebrates the students who go above and beyond what is expected of them at school, forming and leading clubs and groups to benefit the school and their peers, and taking leading action to tackle important issues in the school, local community, and wider society.
Star Student (Over 16) Of The Year
This prize is in recognition of students at sixth-form, college or in further training who go the extra mile at their place of learning to support fellow students, improve school life for their peers, and take a leading role in extra-curricular activities.
School Of The Year
This award seeks to honour the school or college which has been on the biggest journey in the past 12 months. Whether it be brilliant exam results, fantastic pupil progress, receiving awards, becoming a hub for a certain subject, or enriching the lives of pupils through fantastic extra-curricular activities and being a school at the heart of the community, we want you to tell us your schools’ story and what you have done in the past year which is worth shouting about.
The Echo is always happy to work with any businesses who want to help us celebrate our teachers and students, so if you want to get involved as a sponsor at the region’s most important education awards, please contact Sales Director Ryan Fenwick at ryan.fenwick@localiq.co.uk.
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