An awards scheme which celebrates best practice in reading, writing, speaking and listening are now officially open for nominations.

The Kent Literacy Awards were launched at a formal event staged at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury on Friday, March 11 and key partners came out to voice their support.

Michael Northey of Kent County Council, said: “It’s wonderful to see children, parents and teachers all connecting through their shared love of the written word. Reading is both useful and enjoyable, and an initiative which highlights the importance of good literacy is something worthy of celebration.”

Malou Bengtsson-Wheeler of Beanstalk, said: “I really hope that many schools engage with the Kent Literacy Awards. There are so many amazing schemes which are prompting children to read and write, and an event such as this is critical for sharing best practice across the county.”

Designed to showcase the most creative and innovative methods to impassion students, the awards accept nominations from parents, pupils, support staff and management at primary and secondary schools across Kent, Medway and Bexley.

A number of the categories open for nomination include Most successful program for engaging pupils with English as a second language, Best promotion of reading for pleasure, and Best speaking competition or debating club.

Simon Dolby, chief executive at the KM Charity Team which organise the awards, said: “We believe it is vital to commend hard-working school staff for gifting pupils with skills that will render their lives. The ability to read, write, speak and listen confidently opens so many more doors for adulthood. The awards were implemented to say thank you, and to hopefully welcome even more creative teaching across the region.”

Key partners and attendees at the launch event included Beanstalk, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Hallet and Co, Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), The Canterbury Tales, Orbit South, Southern Educational Leadership Trust (SELT), School News Group, Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Kent County Council and Medway Council.

The winners will be invited to an awards celebration evening at Hempstead House Hotel, Sittingbourne at the end of June.

A summary of all the winning submissions will be published and circulated to every school in the region, further promoting the schemes such schools provide.

To submit one or more nominations before the April 29 deadline, visit www.kentliteracyawards.co.uk