Business, leisure and educational organisations have united to urge people to help them find and celebrate the unsung heroes of Kent’s classrooms.

Medway-based Kape HR, the Thinking Schools Academy Trust and Diggerland are three of the judging organisations for the 2020 Kent Teacher of the Year Awards, and are urging people to submit nominations by 11.59pm on March 1.

Thinking Schools Academy Trust chief executive Stuart Gardner said: “I would urge everyone to take a moment to think of a colleague that’s inspired them, and go to www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk to submit a nomination.”

Organised by the KM Charity Team, the awards aim to showcase the dedication and innovation of benchmark educators from across Kent and Medway.

There will be separate awards for the county as a whole, its different districts, and for primary, secondary and further education.

Kape HR will be overseeing the judging process for the senior leadership team category. The company’s director, co-director Karen Barker, said: “As we work closely with school leaders, this category is close to our hearts.

Ms Barker added: “As a business, we work with schools and academies across Kent and see first-hand the great work, dedication and commitment shown by their staff.

“We believe that by sponsoring the awards, we can show our thanks and gratitude to these employees who work tirelessly for the best possible education of all children.”

Molly Walton of Diggerland said it was the third year running that the popular visitor attraction had been a member of the judging panel, adding: “We think it’s absolutely brilliant that we can reward our hard-working and dedicated teaching staff.”

Her colleague, Sherene Mack, said: “Teachers do so much, and it means the absolute world to us to be able to commemorate them for everything they do four our younger generation.”

Stuart Gardner added: “It’s very important for us to take the time to recognise the important work that teachers and support staff do in all of our schools.

“Thinking Schools Academy Trust’s mission is to transform the lives of young people, and we couldn’t do that without all the amazing work of our schools and in all schools in the area.”

The other judging organisations for the awards include Kent Further Education, the University of Greenwich, KCS, The Education People, Loop CR, Streetspace, Kreston Reeves, Canterbury Christ Church University, Specialised Sports Products, Salus and Three R’s Teacher Recruitment.

Nominations must be submitted by 11.59pm on March 1. And the winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Ashford International Hotel in mid-May.

Visit KentTeacheroftheYear.co.uk to submit nominations or find out more.