An Olympic athlete wants to celebrate the work of school staff promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being among children.

Team GB sprint star Jack Green has thrown his weight behind the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

He said stress presented a significant barrier to children’s well-being and success.

And when it comes to overcoming obstacles, the 27-year-old is very much an expert.

Not only does he represent Great Britain in the 400m hurdles, he also successfully battled depression earlier in his career.

Now, as well as representing his county on the running track, he is a mental health campaigner and motivational speaker – frequently visiting schools to share his insights about success, well-being and resilience.

Mr Green, who was born in Maidstone and lives in Folkestone, said: “It goes without saying that teachers play such a significant role in the lives of young children.

“Naturally, given my status as an athlete, I’m particularly keen to see the contribution of school sports staff celebrated.

“But I would also really like to see recognition for staff promoting children’s mental and emotional well-being.

“With all the focus on exams, test results and league tables, it’s all too easy to forget about whether children are happy.

“Just like the athletics stadium, school can be a stressful environment. And I know from my personal experience that success is difficult without happiness.”

The awards are organised by the KM Charity Team, and coordinator Karen Brinkman said: “It’s wonderful to have someone of the status as Jack involved in the awards.

“These awards are all about celebrating hard work and dedication, and – as an Olympic athlete – those are things that Jack knows all about.”

The awards have separate categories for primary, secondary and further education and newly qualified teachers, non-teaching staff and volunteers.

The judging organisations are Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church universities, Ashford International Hotel, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Kreston Reeves, Social Enterprise Kent, Medway Youth Trust, Loop CR, Kent Sport and Physical Education, Salus, Diggerland, Kent Further Education, Kape HR, KCS, Towergate Insurance, The Education People, EduKit, Kent and Medway councils, and Hornby.

They will select winners from each of Kent and Medway’s 13 local authority areas, as well as overall winners for the whole county.

Anyone can make nominations before the March 1 deadline.

Submit nominations, find out more and download a best-practice brochure detailing last year’s winners at kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk.