IT’S that time of year again – a moment to celebrate the best in Bradford’s education field but this year there's a twist.

The Telegraph & Argus’s Bradford & District Education Awards, in association with Bradford Council, is a stalwart in the calendar and marks its 10th anniversary this year.

The event raises the profile of the city’s education and learning establishment and recognises the fantastic achievements from primary and secondary schools, teachers, support staff and pupils.

Throughout its history, the awards have been handed out at ceremonies taking place at a number of prestigious venues – aside from two years where the event went virtual during the Covid-19 pandemic – with the gongs handed out at Bradford Hotel last April for the 2022 edition.

But The Education Awards are entering a new era this year come April.

For the first time, the awards will take place in the schools of the winners.

The T&A will work with the winning school to arrange a surprise visit when the sponsor of that award will present it to the winner.

We will bring along a video team to capture the moment and create a celebration of local education on video that will be published on the T&A website and socials, and also will be given to the schools and sponsors.

There are eight categories. They are as follows:

  • Primary Or Early Years School Teacher Of The Year:

This award celebrates the outstanding achievement or dedication of individual primary or early years teachers, who are inspirational to their pupils through exciting and engaging teaching and make an exceptional contribution to their life at school or early years setting.

  • Secondary School Teacher Of The Year:

This award recognises the outstanding work and dedication of teachers in secondary schools, who are perfect role models for their students and provide inspirational and engaging teaching and have held a huge impact on their school in the past 12 months.

  • Newcomer Of The Year:

This award celebrates the successes of teachers new to the profession, such as newly qualified teachers. Entrants should only have been in education at any level for a maximum of two years, and in that time proved to be exceptional teachers for the school, raising morale and standards amongst pupils and staff.

  • Supporting Staff Member Of The Year:

This award is open to teaching assistants, caretakers, dinner staff, pastoral and support staff and any other non-teaching staff, who always go above and beyond to benefit the children at their school, have proven a vital cog in the machine of the school over the past 12 months, and make a real difference for both teachers and students at their school.

  • Headteacher Of The Year:

This award recognises the heads of schools who are shining beacons of leadership in the education sector, who have made a significant contribution to education at their school, guiding their teams of staff and students with superb skills and being the perfect representative for their school.

  • Community Involvement Award:

The judges will be looking for an educational organisation or scheme which has benefitted its community and beyond. The winner could be a parents’ association supporting their school, a proactive approach to work experience, a school raising money for charity, or an innovative scheme building bridges between communities.

  • Star Student Of The Year:

This award celebrates the students who go above and beyond what is expected of them at school, forming and leading clubs and groups to benefit the school and their peers, and taking leading action to tackle important issues in the school, local community and wider society.

  • School Of The Year:

This award seeks to honour the school, early years setting, or college that has been on the biggest journey in the past 12 months. Whether it be brilliant exam results, fantastic pupil progress, receiving awards, becoming a hub for a certain subject, or enriching the lives of pupils through fantastic extra-curricular activities and being a school at the heart of the community, we want you to tell us your school’s story and what you have done in the past year which is worth shouting about.

The deadline for nominations is the end of February 24, 2023 at midnight.

To make a nomination click here or use the QR code below.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: QR Code for T&A Educations Awards 2023QR Code for T&A Educations Awards 2023 (Image: Telegraph & Argus)