THERE is just one week left to submit nominations for inspirational people from Bradford schools for the Telegraph & Argus's annual school awards.

The 2018 awards will be held on March 15, but the deadline for people to make nominations in the 12 categories is Monday December 18.

The awards were set up to recognise teachers, support staff, governors, leaders and schools throughout the district.

Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills Coun Imran Khan has now urged people to get involved before the deadline.

The authority has been a proud supporter of the Telegraph &Argus Awards since they were first set up four years ago.

Cllr Khan said: “These awards have really gone from strength to strength. They have become a firm fixture in Bradford’s education calendar and we are delighted to be supporting this important occasion again in 2018.

“The Telegraph & Argus School Awards are a brilliant way of giving thanks and recognition to the talented and dedicated staff in our schools. They also allow us to celebrate the fact that across Bradford our education system is improving.

“From Early Years to GCSE we have seen our results improve. At GCSE Bradford was ranked as the fourth most improved local authority area in the country – out of more than 150 areas for the progress our pupils have made during their time at secondary school. This is hugely encouraging for us all and a real measure of success.

“But none of us are working in education because of league tables. We are in it to make a difference for our young people. It is vitally important that the children of our district have the same opportunities and the same chances of success as those living anywhere else in the country.

“These awards show us that great work is taking place across the schools in our district and we want to build on that. As a council we have taken a lead on the recruitment and retention of teachers in the district. The Bradford bus tours, which take final year teaching students into schools, have ensured that 200 new teachers have chosen to begin their career here and now we have launched the Bradford Teaching campaign which will help us to get the message out nationwide across social media that teaching in Bradford can be massively rewarding for people who are passionate about rising to a challenge to improve children’s life chances.

“The Bradford School Awards help us to reinforce that message. The success of the event depends on the people of the district coming forward to make nominations and I would encourage people to do so.

“One of the great strengths of the School Awards is that there are categories for all aspects of school life from teacher of the year in primary and secondary schools to awards recognising leadership, improvement, governors, support staff, volunteers and community involvement.

“This recognises that education is everyone’s business. Here in Bradford we created the Education Covenant which promotes this idea that everyone from the council, to schools, pupils, parents, politicians, governors, businesses and the wider community can all contribute to the education of our young people. The Covenant has already had great support across the district but this is something I think we can push even further next year to ensure we harness the strengths of our district for the benefit of Bradford pupils.

“The Teaching Awards event earlier this year allowed us to celebrate so many inspiring stories and I am sure next year’s event will be the same.

“What came across to me was how much mutual respect there was from everyone across the education sector. These awards are respected by schools across Bradford and I know that being nominated and shortlisted means a lot to those people and schools who are put forward. I hope the T&A is inundated with entries again this year so that we can find and celebrate people who are making a difference.”

To make a nomination, and to find out more about the different categories, visit thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/schoolswards/nominationform/