Education awards seek top trainee teachers

Nominations are being sought for standout trainees as well as Primary, Secondary, newly-qualified and further education teachers. Anyone associated with a school - including staff, parents and students - can make a nomination until the 1 March deadline.

The Trainee Teacher of the Year category was first introduced in last year’s awards and is once again being championed by the University of Greenwich.

University of Greenwich - Kent TOTY from Inspire Schools on Vimeo.

Chris Philpott, a reader for the university’s Faculty of Education and Health, said: “We train teachers in Early Years, Primary and post-compulsory, and we know that trainee teachers make an invaluable impact on the settings and education of learners with which they come into contact.”

He added: “We want to recognise an invaluable contribution that a trainee teacher has made to the wider life of the school.”

Awards coordinator Karen Brinkman said: “Given the challenges of attracting and retaining new teacher talent, it is vital that the work of outstanding trainee teachers is recognised. They are performing an incredible balancing act - learning how to structure and deliver lessons and respond to pupils’ needs, all the while completing their own studies and finding their own teaching styles.”

She continued: “Many trainee teachers take on this challenge with creativity and gusto, making a profound difference to the schools in which they are placed. We want to congratulate these individuals and encourage them to continue in their chosen field.”

Organised by the KM Charity Team, the awards also recognise non-teaching members of staff - such as midday supervisors, caretakers or office staff - along with volunteers and teams.

A panel of judges will select winners for each local authority area as well as overall county champions. The results will be announced at an awards dinner staged at the Ashford International Hotel in May.

To nominate, visit the Kent Teacher of the Year website

Follow stories about Kent Teacher of the Year on Twitter @InspireSchools1 and use the hashtag #KTOTY.

Download the support pack enabling your school to promote the awards to parents and pupils.

Contact Details

Karen Brinkman
Telephone: 08442 640291
Email: kbrinkman@thekmgroup.co.uk