Extraordinary educators will be rewarded at the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards as more prizes are revealed for staff who come top of the class.

One business backing the event has pledged hundreds of pounds worth of training opportunities for the winner of the literacy category. The winning Kent Literacy Teacher of the Year will collect his or her prize and trophy at a prestigious awards dinner at Leeds Castle in May.

The awards are now open for members of the public to nominate the teaching staff, volunteers, support staff or teams who are making a difference to the success of a school.

Kent’s overall top literacy teacher will win a training course worth more than £500 delivered by Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), which has sponsored the award for the past three years. Up to 12 staff members will be able to participate in the winner’s chosen course.

SEK will also reward each of the district literacy award winners with two free spaces on any of its open courses, which are worth £100 each.

Rebecca Smith, director of learning and development at SEK, said: “As a social enterprise working with vulnerable people and communities, we know that excellence in teaching is one of the foundations for building success.

“The awards showcase the fantastic teaching we have in Kent, and are a great way for schools to celebrate of all of the hard work and dedication they show to their students.”

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team, which is organising the awards, called for nominations for classroom heroes.

“Show your appreciation for your favourite teachers by giving them the chance to win a great prize as well as recognition for all they do for your school,” he said.

A number of other organisations have announced their support of the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2015 including William Giles Chartered Accountants, CXK, Brachers Law, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Project Salus, Kent Sport, Southern Educational Leadership Trust, Kent County Council, Medway Council, Christ Church University, the Marlowe Theatre, Leeds Castle, and the following departments at the University of Kent: Politics and International Relations; Psychology; Physical Sciences; Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science; Biosciences; European Culture and Languages; and History.

For more information or to nominate, visit www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk.