YOUR St Helens Star is seeking to salute the best pupils, staff, teachers and support staff, for our Education Awards 2016, sponsored by Carmel College – and here's a final call for entries.

The awards, which celebrate all the good work and dedication in St Helens schools, also highlight the innovation and best practice.St Helens has some fantastic schools but many feel the efforts of teachers and staff are frequently undervalued so the awards aim to acknowledge and reward excellence.

This year, we are on the look-out for nominations for 13 categories.

The night of celebration will take place at the World of Glass on Thursday, June 16.

Star editor Andrew Kilmurray said: “These awards are all about raising aspirations and encouraging high achievement. We want to give the best of St Helens schools the chance to shine in the spotlight. We’ll be backing up the awards night with extensive coverage in the Star and on our website.

“We’re looking forward to receiving some great entries from across the education sector.”

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

Individuals or institutions can enter more than one category but this should be made clear on the entry form. The last date for receiving entries is May 20.

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Carmel College: This prestigious award will go to someone who, in the view of the judges, has had a significant and positive impact on education in St Helens.
  • Secondary School of the Year: ThisThe secondary school of the year category is designed to celebrate, not the buildings, but the real achievements made in enabling pupils to realise their potential. It’s not just about exams, but nurturing talent and aspiration while giving pupils the skills to equip them for the modern world.
  • Secondary School Pupil of the Year, sponsored by St Helens College: We are not just looking for the brainiest pupil but for those who go the extra mile to achieve.
  • Unsung Hero Award: To constantly achieve good results year after year takes real teamwork, and although teachers themselves are vital, the people involved in any enterprise at the top of its game is made up of a wide range of people.
  • Primary School Pupil of the Year, sponsored by Heirs and Graces: It might be that they have shone academically, but hard work is not the only criterion. Judges will be looking for pupils who help those around them and get involved in all kinds of school activities.
  • Primary School of the Year, sponsored by Rathlee Nursery School: We want to reward an exceptional school that stands out from the rest. Not only do we want to see academic achievement, we also want schools that demonstrate innovation and imagination.
  • Teacher of the Year: Which teacher has made a real difference to a school, inspiring pupils to push themselves? It could be that they brought what otherwise seemed to be a dull curriculum to life because of their enthusiasm and ability to explain complicated ideas. Or it may be that they particularly encouraged you as a pupil to take part in lessons and express yourself so you gained confidence and came to enjoy learning.
  • Class of the Year: We are looking for a school class which have done something special as a team to benefit their school, themselves or their community.
  • Head Teacher/Principal of the Year, sponsored by World of Glass: It is about inspirational leadership and the ability to produce a school where people care and which buzzes with enthusiasm.
  • Early Years Award: We want to hear which teams or individuals have truly made a difference or astounded you by the brilliance of their care or teaching.
  • Further Education Student of the Year, sponsored by University Centre St Helens: Education should have made a real difference to a nominee’s life by improving their skills or qualifications. Or they may have overcome particular obstacles to succeed.
  • Special Education Needs Award: It might a pupil who has academically achieved over and above what was expected of them, or, despite their own challenges, have helped to improve the lives of others.
  • Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by St Helens Chamber: Which apprentices have made outstanding progress in both their practical work and their studies? And who has made an exceptional contribution to their workplace?

Deadline extended to 5pm on Tuesday, May 24. 

Click here to fill out a nomination form