Emotional support is essential for pupils to thrive in school according to a key partner of the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

Anti-bullying group Project Salus is backing the awards to recognise school staff who provide a nurturing and supportive setting for pupils.

The awards, organised by the KM Charity Team, are open for nominations for anyone making a difference to the success of a school including teachers, volunteers and support staff.

Jill Allen of Project Salus is championing the Pastoral Care award that recognises staff who support pupils’ social development and emotional well-being.

She said: “The little things that staff in our schools do, those little acts of kindness that happen every day don’t always get recorgnised in a formal way, so it’s a real pleasure to help support that work.”

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team urged members of the public to waste no time in nominating the shining stars of their schools: “I would encourage everyone to put forward the people who are going above and beyond and are having a dramatic impact on their pupils and school as a whole,” he said.

A number of other organisations have announced their support of the awards including, Kent University, Kent County Council, Christ Church University, CXK, Medway Youth Trust, Kent Sport, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Social Enterprise Kent, Kreston Reeves, LoopCR, Trust Careers at Medway Youth Trust, Hornby, Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, Kent Libraries, the Mercure Great Danes Maidstone, and Beanstalk.

The 2017 Kent Teacher of the Year Awards will be staged at Mercure Great Danes hotel Maidstone, when around 50 school representatives will be honoured.

To nominate before the March 1 deadline, visit www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk.