And we need your help to let us know about the teachers, staff members and professionals who contribute to their schools and the educational initiatives within their communities.

Our first schools awards event, in association with Recipharm, also aims to recognise the brilliant pupils and students in our towns.

Hayley Smith, group editor for Newsquest Cheshire/Merseyside, said: “Over the past two years the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many events having to be postponed or cancelled, but we believe that now – more than ever – we need to celebrate everything that’s good in Mid Cheshire.

“And that means highlighting the brilliant work carried out by our dedicated teachers and everyone involved in education in the boroughs, as well as shining a spotlight on innovation and best practice across the area.  

“Our schools awards will aim to recognise the outstanding achievements of pupils and students, including those who may have overcome the odds or battled adversity to succeed in their studies or extracurricular activities.

“These will be our first education awards, and this is set to be extra special because of the challenges faced by schools throughout the pandemic.”

Children and staff will be honoured at a virtual awards event on Thursday, December 8, which everyone in the towns will be invited to watch.

Our exciting host for the evening will be announced soon.

Entries are invited from teachers, parents, governors, pupils, schools and anyone with knowledge of a particular education establishment.

All schools are welcome to enter, as long as they are based in the towns.

Individuals or institutions can enter more than one category, but this should be made clear on the entry.

The deadline for entries is Friday, November 4.

To enter, you can email NW-Guardian-Awards@newsquest.co.uk including the following details:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Category you are nominating in
• Name of nominee (ie person/people you are nominating)
• Nominee email address
• Nominee phone number
• School address
• Reason for nominating

Alternatively, visit northwichguardian.co.uk/my/ccn/assignment/CCxPWEiP/ or click on the form at the bottom of the article.

And if you are a local business interested in sponsoring an award, please email nikki.whinnett@localiq.co.uk for more details.

Current sponsors are: Recipharm, DeepStore Records Management, Thor and Compass Minerals.

THE CATEGORIES:

Outstanding Achievement Award (sponsored by Recipharm)

This prestigious award is open to nominations from pupils, parents, school staff and teachers as we look to honour a person who has had a significant and positive impact on education in Northwich, Knutsford, Winsford or Middlewich, whether recently through the coronavirus pandemic or over a  number of years. If you know someone who deserves recognition for their unwavering hard work and dedication, make sure you tell us about them.

School of the Year (Sponsored by DeepStore Records Management)

Does your primary, high school or further education setting stand out from the rest? Not only do we want to hear about academic achievement and competition success, we also want to see entries that demonstrate how pupils and students have developed in ways that go beyond the league tables. Whether it is improving attendance levels, developing healthy living or mental health and wellbeing policies, or building better relationships with parents and the wider community, this is your chance to shout about how great your school has been throughout the pandemic.

High School/Further Education Pupil of the Year

This award will go to a young person who has achieved something beyond expectation in education. They may not necessarily be the highest academic achiever – we also want to hear about students who have developed themselves personally, through sheer determination to do better, or helped others in the community during the pandemic.

Primary School Pupil (Sponsored by Thor)

Whether they have excelled academically, been successful in their extra-curricular activities or had to overcome adversity to succeed, we want to hear about your hardworking children. They will play an active role in all areas of school life, be respectful of others and always willing to lend a hand.

Head Teacher of the Year

Does this head teacher provide outstanding leadership with a clear and compelling vision for success? This award will go to an inspirational head teacher who has shown exceptional leadership, management, teaching skills and commitment to their school or college over  the past year.

High School/Further Education Teacher of the Year

Does this teacher inspire and engage pupils in order to help them achieve their full academic and social potential? The winner of our top teacher categories will have made an exceptional contribution to the school or college they work in and will go over and above to provide the best opportunities for the children they teach.

Primary School Teacher of the Year

Does this teacher inspire and engage pupils in order to help them achieve their full academic and social potential? The winner of our top teacher categories will have made an exceptional contribution to the school or college they work in and will go over and above to provide the best opportunities for the children they teach.

Class/Team of the Year (Sponsored by Compass Minerals)

Do you know a class or team that deserves to be rewarded for their hard work throughout the pandemic?  It may be a sports team that has gone the extra mile, an after-school club or school choir that has carried out outstanding work in the community, or a class of primary or high school pupils that have excelled in their studies or on a special project. We want to find the top team for 2022.

Innovation Award (Sponsored by Thor)

This award will recognise an individual, team, school or college that has excelled in the use of digital technology or can demonstrate innovation in order to help others. Judges will be looking for evidence that the technology/initiative has had a positive impact on educational outcomes of students inside or outside the classroom, supported teaching or benefited the wider community.

Unsung Hero Award (sponsored by Recipharm)

This category is open to any non-teaching staff, either individual or a team, who play a key role in the smooth running of their school or college. Whether it is a lunchtime team, caretaker, governors, administrative staff, PTA or school crossing patrol assistant, tell us who your unsung heroes are. We are looking for a stand-out star of a school who consistently goes above and beyond and is an inspiration to others.