SCHOOLS AWARDS 2017: Voluntary Contribution Award

A school can exist purely on the efforts of its salaried staff, but the schools that feel most special have a lot of involvement from tireless volunteers who give up their time, energy and services for no greater reward than making the school a better place for its pupils, staff and teachers.

Nominees could be parents who help run school events in their spare time, people from the local community who go into schools to read to children, or staff who use their free time to run after-school clubs or events.

Most of the time these volunteers are not doing it for any reward or particular recognition, but this award gives them the opportunity to be recognised for just how important they are.

Let us know who these people are, and just how big an impact they make on the school. Is there a school event that relies entirely on a volunteer, or a parent who volunteers to teach children art? This award is for them.

The 2016 award went to David Weston, who volunteers at Worth Valley Primary School in Keighley. He was nominated for his “tireless” work to improve the lives of pupils.

He created a gardening club for pupils and helps make school meals. Head Rimah Aasim said he was “the most incredible volunteer I have ever met”.

LAST YEAR'S WINNER: David Weston, a volunteer at Worth Valley Primary School in Keighley

DO you want to help up celebrate those people who give up their free time to make Bradford’s schools a better place?

We are currently looking for a sponsor for the Voluntary Contribution award.
By becoming a sponsor, you will have the chance to help present the award at the Schools Awards event in March, as well as having advertisements for your business or organisation featured in the Schools Awards supplements and coverage, and tickets to the glitzy ceremony.

In the past three years the awards have offered sponsors the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best and brightest of the district’s schools, as well as doing their part to help us celebrate their achievements.

Over the past three years, this category has helped celebrate the unpaid staff in our schools that have just as big an impact on young peope’s school lives as teachers or heads, but can sometimes get overlooked.

To sponsor this category, email caroline.collins@nqyne.co.uk or call 01274 705286.

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