Families can help their favourite teachers to have a fairytale ending in a beautiful castle by nominating them in the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

The county’s annual teaching awards, open for nominations until March 8, will recognise and reward Kent’s top literacy teacher of the year.

An ambassador of the event is urging parents, pupils and schools to submit at least one nomination while there is still time.

Rebecca Smith of Social Enterprise Kent (SEK) said: “We are so proud to be supporting Kent Teacher of the Year for 2016. We find there is such a link between good teaching and literacy and job prospects and outcomes for people in their adult lives as well as children.”

District and overall winners will collect their prizes at a glittering awards dinner hosted by Leeds Castle, known as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. The event, staged in May and organised by the KM Charity Team, will honour more than 50 staff and schools.

Other organisations taking an active role in the awards include Canterbury Christ Church University, Leeds Castle, Marlowe Theatre, SELT, Project Salus, Medway Council, Kent County Council, CXK, Kreston Reeves, Loop CR Ltd, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service, 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.

Nominations can be placed for any primary, secondary or newly qualified teacher as well as standout volunteers, teams and non-teaching members of staff.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “You’ve got just over a week left to vote for the unsung heroes of your school. It’s a wonderful way to say thank you for all their hard work and dedication to pupils and families in the community.”

Families can cast their votes and school staff can nominate colleagues at www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk until the deadline of Tuesday, March 8.