Kent and Medway school workers from teachers to caretakers will be given the chance to shine at the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2016.

Key partners gathered at historic Leeds Castle for the official launch of the awards which are now open for nominations. Anyone can place a nomination including parents, pupils, and co-workers at the same school.

Cllr Mike O’Brien of Medway Council said: “I’m really pleased to be able to support this brilliant initiative. I really do hope that all of our teachers and support staff in Medway put in nominations. It’s such a worthwhile initiative and it helps to recognise the fantastic work that’s going on throughout our Medway and Kent schools.”

Staged each year for more than a decade, the event is run by the KM Group’s charity department to celebrate the best and brightest staff, volunteers and teams helping to make their schools a success.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said: “The Kent Teacher of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on those enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who are making a real difference to our children’s development and prospects.

“If you know of someone who is going that extra mile at your school why not say thank you by submitting a nomination?”

A panel of judges will select district and overall winners for each category and more than 50 people will be recognised at a prestigious awards dinner and presentation ceremony on May 19 at Leeds Castle. There will be top prizes on offer in addition to a limited edition trophy for every overall winner.

Award categories include Primary School, Secondary School, Newly Qualified Teacher, Non Teaching Member of Staff, and Volunteer.

Community partners backing the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards 2016 include Social Enterprise Kent, Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service, SELT, Project Salus, Medway Council, Kent County Council, CXK, Kreston Reeves, Loop CR Ltd, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Canterbury Christ Church University, Leeds Castle, Marlowe Theatre and the following departments at the University of Kent: Politics and International Relations; Physical Sciences; Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science; Biosciences; European Culture and Languages; and History.

For more information or to nominate before the March 1 deadline, visit www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk.