Setting the tone for youngsters to get the best start in their educational lives is a top priority for a key partner of the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

Medway Council is backing the Early Years Foundation Stage Leader award to recognise and reward outstanding teachers for pupils’ crucial formative years.

The awards, organised by the KM Charity Team, are open for nominations for categories including primary, secondary, newly qualified teacher, teaching assistant, non teaching member of staff, and volunteer.

Medway Council is also supporting the Senior Leadership Team award to highlight inspirational leadership that is driving improvement in schools and helping to boost pupils’ performance.

Cllr Mike O'Brien said: “Our teaching professionals are all working extremely hard to ensure that our children enjoy the very best start in life at Early Years Foundation Stage and throughout their educational career.

“Excellent leadership is paramount to consistent improvement which is why I fully support these awards in recognising this leadership and teaching professionalism.”

He added: “I would encourage everyone to nominate the people who are making that very real difference in their schools.”

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “We’re deeply grateful to all of our key partners including Medway Council for enabling us to honour teaching excellence and hope that everyone will nominate their favourite teachers, volunteers or support staff for an award.”

A number of other organisations have announced their support of the awards including, CXK, Kent Sport, Southern Educational Leadership Trust, Brachers Law, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Social Enterprise Kent, Project Salus, William Giles Chartered Accountants, Kent County Council, Christ Church University, Marlowe Theatre, Leeds Castle, and the following departments at the University of Kent: Politics and International Relations; Psychology; Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Sciences; Physical Sciences; Biosciences; European Culture and Languages; and History.

The 2015 Kent Teacher of the Year Awards will be staged at Leeds Castle on May 19 when around 50 school representatives will be honoured.

To nominate before the March 2 deadline, visit www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk.