Schools simply wouldn't be able to run without all the support staff members such as teaching assistants, caretakers and school crossing staff.

Show your appreciation by nominating them for one of our School Awards.

The Dorset Echo School Awards have been created to recognise and honour the important work done by teachers and support workers.

These awards, nominated by local people, apply to staff working in schools in the DT postcode sector.

Once received, the nominations will be considered by our judging panel. The judges will be looking to announce the three finalists in each category in the Dorset Echo.

All three category finalists, plus one guest each, will be invited to join their category sponsors at the awards ceremony where the winners will be announced.

The winners of each category will be featured in the category winners' coverage in the Dorset Echo or on dorsetecho.co.uk.

Our ‘Supporting Staff Member’ award can include caretakers, support assistants, school crossing patrol people and other non-teaching staff.

Do you know someone like this? If so, you can nominate them. The judges are looking for exceptional service which makes a real difference to the educational establishment in which they work.

Or, you may know someone who you could nominate for one of our other awards:

Categories:

• Nursery/Pre-School Teacher of the Year

• Reception Year 2 Teacher of the Year

• Year 3 – Year 6 Teacher of the Year

• Secondary Teacher of the Year

• Further Education Teacher of the Year

• Newcomer of the Year (in education for less than 2 years)

• Voluntary Support (parent helpers, Governors etc)

• Leadership (Head Teacher or Senior Leadership team member)

• Lifetime Achievement

It is easy to nominate:

  1. Online – nominate at www.dorsetecho.co.uk/schoolawards
  2. Email – 100-200 words to dhellaby@localiq.co.uk with School Awards in the subject line
  3. By post – to the Dorset Echo School Awards, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD.

The category, nominee name, school address, school contact phone number and reason for nomination must be submitted with each nomination.

Closing date for nominations October 24.

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