SCHOOLS are being urged to make sure they get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid missing out in this year’s Telegraph & Argus Schools Awards.

The deadline for nominations is fast approaching, and entries have already been streaming in.

Nominations must be submitted by Monday, December 17, to honour the outstanding teachers and students at schools across the district.

There are ten categories to make nominations in, reduced from 12 in previous years, recognising the cream of the crop when it comes to teaching in Bradford.

Following the nominations deadline, a select judging panel will file through the entries picking out the outstanding candidates in each, who will then be invited to a glitzy awards dinner on Thursday, March 14, at the Aagrah Midpoint in Thornbury, when the winners for 2019 will be announced.

Schools are invited to submit nominations in the Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Supporting Staff Member of the Year categories.

There are also Governor, Community Involvement and Leadership Awards up for grabs, as well as the three new categories.

The first of the new awards for 2019 is the Star Student Under 16, which celebrates the students who go above and beyond what is expected of them at school, forming and leading clubs to benefit their peers, and taking leading action to tackle important issues in the school and local community.

The second new category is Star Student Over 16 which recognises students at sixth-form, college or in further training who go the extra mile to support fellow students, improve school life, and take a leading role in extra-curricular activities.

The final new prize is the Teaching Assistant of the Year award, which honours those who are often the unsung heroes of education, providing teachers with vital support to aid the learning of their pupils to help children reach and expand their potential and make the classroom a happier place to be.

Since the first awards night was held four years ago, dozens of teachers, support staff, governors, leaders and schools have been honoured for their work to improve education in Bradford.

The awards have become one of the biggest highlights of the educational year since their launch in 2014, bringing the often overlooked or unappreciated work done in schools into the spotlight, giving exceptional teachers and school staff the recognition they deserve.

The shortlist of nominees will be revealed early next year.

To nominate your school’s exceptional individuals, visit thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/nominationform.

The Bradford & District Schools Awards are run by the T&A in association with Bradford Council.