The chance to recognise the hard work of non-teaching staff is on offer for the first time at a special awards ceremony in May.

School secretaries, caretakers and dinner ladies can all be nominated for a new category in the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team, who stage the event, said: "We would urge people to put forward deserving staff for this accolade.

"This will be the first time the awards are relevant to the entire school community, not just teachers and head teachers."

The Kent Teacher of the Year Awards is being held at Hempstead House Hotel, Sittingbourne on May 16.

This year’s event is being supported by Denne, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Southern Educational Leadership Trust, Independent Music Productions, Hempstead House Hotel, Kent County Council, Network & Cabling Solutions, Canterbury Christ Church University.

To make a nomination go tohttp://www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/ before February 17.