Stars back teaching awards

Big names from the worlds of sport, entertainment and books are backing the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

Celebrities keen to trumpet the county’s top educators include humanitarian author Terry Waite, award-winning children’s author Nick Butterworth, former England Women’s Rugby Union team captain Catherine Spencer, and television and radio presenter and former Canterbury schoolgirl Nicki Chapman – best known for her stints on Popstars and Pop Idol.

The awards, organised each year by this paper’s charity department, are open for nominations at kentteacheroftheyear. co.uk until March 1.

Categories cover all subjects for primary and secondary school teachers in addition to newly qualified teachers, non-teaching staff, volunteers, and teams.

Anyone can place a nomination including members of school staff, parents, and pupils.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the event’s organisers the KM Charity Team, said: “I hope this will encourage more people to submit nominations and shine a light on the extraordinary yet humble individuals who make such a big difference to their schools.”

Winners will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel in May.

Judging the entries will be representatives from Kent County Council, Medway Council, Kent Sport, Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Greenwich, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Medway Youth Trust, Social Enterprise Kent, Beanstalk, CXK, Salus, Loopcr, the University of Kent, and Diggerland.

Follow stories about Kent Teacher of the Year on Twitter @ Kmcharityteam and #KMTOTY

Steven Holdcroft, from the University of Kent, joins staff to unveil the Teacher of the Year celebrity flyer promoting the awards and the big names backing them