The University of Kent has stepped up its support for the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards by supporting two additional categories.

Maths and bioscience departments have agreed to back the annual awards to help focus attention on their subjects and encourage more students to take up the key topics at university. The support means that the 2015 event will name the Kent Maths Teacher of the Year and Kent Biology Teacher of the Year when the event is staged at Leeds Castle in May.

The event will open for nominations in the first week of January and accept nominations for teaching staff, volunteers and support staff - any one making a difference to the success of a school.

Prof Martin Warren, Head of School of Biosciences, said: “Making science engaging, understandable, fascinating and exciting is key. That's why good science teachers are so inspiring, they have the responsibility of nurturing the next generation of scientists.”

The winning biology teacher will have the opportunity to visit the University of Kent for a day with a group of students, tour the facilities and do some practical work in the university's labs.

Prof Peter Clarkson, Head of School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science said: “We know that excellent teachers are the best way of inspiring students to enjoy maths, so we are delighted to support the Maths Teacher of the Year category.”

The winner of the Kent Maths Teacher of the Year award will be invited to bring a group of students to the University of Kent for a day, to meet members of staff and student ambassadors, to have some sessions of hands-on maths.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said: “Science in schools is a critical subject that needs nurturing as it is a vital part of the Kent economy. I am so pleased these two departments at the University of Kent have agreed to champion these awards.”

A number of other organisations have already announced their support of the awards including, 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, Medway Council, Christ Church University, and the following departments at the University of Kent: Politics and International Relations, School of European Culture and Languages, and School of History.

The 2015 Kent Teacher of the Year Awards will be staged at Leeds Castle for the first time. Around 50 school representatives will be honoured at the event including support staff and volunteers.

To be notified when the event is accepting nominations sign up to the KM Link e-newsletter at www.kmcharityteam.co.uk.