The Compassionate Community Awards 2021 is on the look out for exceptional educators that deserve recognition for their efforts over the past year.

The scheme, set up in collaboration with the Heart of Kent Hospice and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), is backed by the Kent Messenger and aims to make sure acts of kindness shown across the borough don't go unnoticed.

There are six prizes available. For the schools and teachers category, judges want to hear about those who have adapted to maintain a sense of normality, supported an individual student or community, or extended their services across holidays.

Schools nominated must be in the Maidstone borough. Teachers who work in the area or nearby will also be considered.

Alison Broom, chief executive at MBC, said: “There has been a prolonged period of needing to manage children’s learning and we should recognise the endurance and creativity from teachers and school leaders in keeping all of that going.”

Proving humour can go hand-in-hand with serious work was last year's winner, Palace Wood primary head teacher Mark Chatley.

While juggling last-minute advice from the Department for Education, he filmed videos to keep families informed of everything happening in the school. He also set up a food bank.

But his nominees couldn’t help mentioning the #Chatleychallenge, which took Twitter by storm and involved such feats as eating jelly with no hands, getting wrapped in toilet roll, apple bobbing and a series of physical challenges.

Many included his wife and two sons.

Other categories are for compassion shown in a business or workplace; in a care or residential home; by a neighbour or volunteer; demonstrated by a young person or a community.

Entries are now open and close at 5pm on August 27.

To nominate a business, in no more than 250 words in writing, video or voice recording, send in some examples of how it has demonstrated compassion.

The nominations will be shortlisted by judges in September. The winners will be announced on October 21.

To find out more, click here

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