Which young person deserves to win a Guardian Education Award 2025?

She took home our Secondary School Pupil of the Year award.

Who will win one of our 2025 honours?

There’s just over a week left to get your nominations in for schools, nurseries and colleges across the area, so we can recognise pupils and students, teachers and teaching assistants, and classes and teams.

This will be the third year of the awards, celebrating everything that makes the schools and colleges in Mid Cheshire – Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich and Knutsford – so special.

Who do you think should win one of our Guardian Education Awards 2025?

Is there a primary school pupil or high school student who has worked hard to achieve something amazing?

Do you know someone who deserves our lifetime achievement award?

Which class or team has worked together over the past 12 months, exceeding expectations and smashing their goals?

How about a great and green student or environmentally aware class or group of young people?

There are ten awards to give out at the start of 2025 and entries are invited from teachers, parents, governors, pupils and anyone with knowledge of a particular school or education establishment.

All schools are welcome to enter as long as they are based in Mid Cheshire.

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

There is still a week before the nominations close, so plenty of time to tell us who you think should win an award.

You have until November 30 to enter and the children and teachers, support staff and students, headteachers and lecturers will be honoured in an in-paper supplement and online in January 2025.

The awards would not be possible without support from sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor of these awards please contact Nicola Whinnett on 07732 601766.

To enter visit https://forms.office.com/e/ePXVHHKK4h?origin=lprLink or use the QR code below to send a nomination.

Use the QR code to make a nomination (Image: Newsquest)

THE CATEGORIES:

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Excell Supply

This award is for a member of the school community who has shown a commitment to the sector over many years. It could be for a leader, teacher or member of support staff. Evidence must be provided of how the lives of pupils have been affected by their work.

Secondary School Pupil of the Year Thor

The Secondary School Pupil of the Year award will go to a young person who has achieved something beyond expectations in education over the past 12 months.

This will not necessarily be about the highest academic achiever - it could be about the way an individual has developed themselves personally, through sheer determination to do better.

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.

School of the Year

This will be awarded to the school who in the opinion of the judges has had an outstanding academic year. This may be improvements in attendance levels, parent engagement or examination results. You may have made or built upon partnerships in the local or business community, achieved new green credentials, or achieved competition success.

Secondary Teacher of the Year

Does this teacher inspire and engage pupils in order to help them achieve their full academic and social potential? This award will recognise a Secondary teacher who inspires and engages students to

fulfil their potential and makes an exceptional contribution to the life of their school.

Primary School Pupil Thor

Has applied themselves to every task and sets a good example to other pupils. Has a fun-loving personality and is able to get along with teachers whilst being respectful.

Has a sense of responsibility and can be trusted. Plays an active role in all areas of school life and is always willing to lend a hand.

Primary Teacher of the Year

Does this teacher inspire and engage pupils in order to help them achieve their full academic and social potential? This award will recognise a teacher who inspires and engages students to fulfil their potential and makes an exceptional contribution to the life of their school.

Teaching Assistant of the Year

Does this Teaching Assistant raise the aspirations of pupils and help them to reach new heights?

An award for a teaching assistant, who always give exceptional service and make a real difference to their pupils learning through their work.

Great and Green

We are looking for the most environmentally friendly school. Do pupils go litter picking? Do they love Forest School? Is saving the planet a key part of the curriculum? We want to hear about the school, class or pupil doing the most to keep it green. The winner could be a whole school, one class or a pupil. Judges will be looking for something creative and a commitment to keeping Cheshire green.

Class/Team of the Year Thor

Do you know a class or team that deserves to be rewarded for their hard work? 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.