The Compassionate Community Awards is searching for incredible teachers and exceptional schools which deserve a ‘gold star’ for their efforts.

Back for its third year, the scheme, which is run by the Heart of Kent Hospice and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), aims to highlight acts of kindness that have happened across the borough in the past year.

Judges want to recognise those that have gone above and beyond their traditional ways of working to meet the needs of the community and who has had a positive impact on tackling inequality and increasing student resilience.

Last year, Carly Hayman and Clare Kyte both won the compassionate teacher award.

Miss Hayman, from Tiny Treasures Preschool in Tovil Hill, was nominated by a parent for the support she gave her son Oliver throughout the pandemic while trying to get him an Educational Health Care Plan.

The teacher from Shepway has helped with appointments, filling in forms and chasing up outcomes while dealing with the constant changes Covid-19 brought to routines.

Miss Hayman said: “I’m still in shock because I do what I do because I love to see the families smile, but I didn’t know I had made that much of an impact.”

Also picking up a prize was Clare Kyte from Palace Wood Primary School.

She was also nominated by a parent for arranging a week of activities for the children as they had missed out on their residential trip, arranged activities online when pupils had to stay home and set up picnics so children could be together one last time.

Mrs Kyte said: “I work at a school where we all pitch in together as a team but it meant a lot to me and my family too.

“Without my teaching assistant Mrs Lembo, as well as the wonderful class, I wouldn’t have been nominated.”

There are six prizes available at the awards – other categories include 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.

Rachel Street, chief executive at the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, said: “Last year, it was really humbling to see some of those people who got the awards – they didn’t think what they were doing was that special and actually what they were doing was fantastic.

“I think during the pandemic, or even before that, we often recognise people who are in caring roles, and deliver compassion as part of their jobs.

“We know that everybody is capable of showing compassion. Many people do it day in and day out, just as part of their daily lives.”

Cllr Lottie Parfitt-Reid, lead member for communities and public engagement at MBC, added: “The awards are about celebrating real people doing real things. It’s recognising those people that have just done that bit extra. We are all paid to do a job, but sometimes people go the extra mile.”

Entries close at midnight on October 5. To nominate an individual, group or organisation, in no more than 250 words, send in some examples of how they have demonstrated compassion, along with pictures, if possible.

Or send a three-minute video or voice recording telling us how they have supported their community. Schools and teachers nominated must be in the Maidstone borough.

To find out more, and to nominate a group or individual click here.

Winners will be announced on November 1 at Maidstone Town Hall.