The cut-off date to nominate teachers or other school staff for the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards has been extended to noon on Wednesday, March 8.

Ambassadors of the annual event have called for parents, pupils and schools to nominate worthy teachers and school staff for consideration before the deadline.

Anton Francic of Kent County Council explains: “Staff who work in schools whether they are teachers, teaching assistants, senior managers or middle managers do make a difference. They are important to the success of their schools and the children that attend them.”

Jill Allen of Project Salus added:“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.”

Other supporters are championing specific categories, Tim Sells of Kent Sport wants to see PE teachers in the running: “It’s important to celebrate good sports teachers because sport can play a massive part in children’s lives. Having good PE teachers can make a real difference.”

While Sarah Bottle of Kent Libraries wishes to shine a light on commendable literacy staff. “Kent libraries are passionate about reading for pleasure, this manifests itself in supporting literacy staff in schools and we want everyone to show their support by nominating”

Other ambassadors for the awards include representatives from Kent University, Christ Church University, CXK, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Social Enterprise Kent, Kreston Reeves, LoopCR, Trust Careers at Medway Youth Trust, Hornby, Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, the Mercure Great Danes Maidstone and Beanstalk.

Around 50 winning individuals and schools will be honoured at a celebratory awards dinner staged in May.

Submit one nomination or more at www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk before March 8.