Time is running out to nominate your favourite teacher.

We are searching for Kent and Medway's top teachers. The annual Kent Teacher of the Year Awards will be held in July at historic Howfield Manor Hotel and we need readers to nominate their favourite teacher, teaching assistant or head teacher.

But you only have until noon on May 7 to apply.

The Kent Teacher of the Year Awards was started to mark the vital contribution that teachers make to our community and recognises the expertise and dedication that is the hallmark of an outstanding teacher. It is organised by the KM Group and a number of important community partners.

Award categories include:

• Primary

• Secondary

• Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT)

• Science

• Teaching Assistant

• Head Teacher

We want to hear from KM Group readers if there is an outstanding newly-qualified teacher at your school who deserves to be in line for our top award. Any newly qualified educator who is teaching children at primary or secondary school in Kent may be nominated.

A panel of judges will select winners in each of the 13 local authority areas in the county. They are Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Medway, Sevenoaks, Shepway, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells.

The top 30 teachers will be invited to a special awards event to be staged at historic Howfield Manor Hotel near Canterbury. The hotel is providing the venue for the awards night for free.

Dr John Moss, acting dean of education at Christ Church University, is also backing the awards through both sponsorship and judging of the contest. He said: "As a university that is strongly committed to Initial Teacher Education and continuing professional development, Canterbury Christ Church is strongly supportive of the recognition that excellent teachers get through the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards."

Educational recruitment consultancy, Hays Education, is another major sponsor of the event. The firm which recruits both teachers and support staff believes the awards are important. Area manager Matthew Hall said: "Awards like these go some way to rewarding the outstanding contribution that both teachers and support staff make to schools."

Other event sponsors include Denne construction, KCC and Pfizer.

This is the seventh year that the KM Group has run the awards. Pupils, colleagues, friends and family should submit their nominations online by noon on Thursday, May 7.

For information on the awards contact Jane True at the KM Group's community and charity team at 0844 264 0291.

Awards link: Click here to nominate your teacher: Click here to nominate your teacher>>>