IT seems only yesterday that the glitz and glamour of the T&A's Education Awards was taken into cyberspace for 2020.

The annual ceremony was unique from the previous six years in that it took place in September rather than March.

Even more unusual was the fact the event went "virtual", with Steve Lowe, Sales Director at LocaliQ Bradford, presenting the awards live over Zoom.

The change in schedule - and format - was all down to the coronavirus pandemic, which led to the first UK lockdown being imposed just three days before the original awards were meant to have taken place.

More than 300 guests had been lined up for the event, including a school choir, city VIPs and all those shortlisted.

Endless planning and preparation did not go to waste though.

Each nominee was served a banquet meal, delivered by Aagrah Restaurants, and given the chance to enjoy their moment from the comfort of their own home or school.

With 2020's awards taking place later than expected, this year's ceremony has come around quickly.

The awards are a major highlight in the Bradford event calendar and celebrate achievements, hard work and all-round positivity - something which is in short supply during these tumultuous times.

The event was previously known as the School Awards and have honoured dozens of students, teachers, support staff, governors, leaders and schools since they were first introduced back in 2014.

It means The T&A's Education Awards will be in their eighth year in 2021.

And nominations for the awards are officially open from today, with just over a month to get your submissions in.

Once again, the awards are organised by The T& A, in partnership with Bradford Council.

The event will replicate last September's awards, in that it will be in a virtual setting.

The awards will be streamed live on the T&A website from 6.30pm on Thursday, April 29.

It means we may once again see similar joyous moments to those experienced on screen last September.

This included Secondary Teacher of the Year, Freddie Marshall, fist-pumping the air as his named was announced, and Heather Lacey, headteacher at Shirley Manor Primary in Wyke, looking visibly shocked when her school won an award.

There was also a poignant performance from Dixons Music Primary Choir, with "You Will Be Found", as well as powerful messages from Group Editor, Nigel Burton, and Councillor Imran Khan, Deputy Leader of Bradford Council and Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills.

A short video was played for each category, outlining what the individuals, or schools, had done to be shortlisted for the award.

The nominees for each category, who could attend virtually, then had their cameras brought onto the live feed, alongside Cllr Khan, who announced the winner.

This year's ceremony is set to be another fun-filled evening, enjoyed in a whole new way again.

There are 10 categories in total, after the School of the Year Award was introduced for the first time last year.

The categories are as follows:

School of the Year (sponsored by BHP): This award seeks to honour the school or college which 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.

Star Student Under 16 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.

Star Student Over 16 of the Year (sponsored by Bradford College): This prize is in recognition of students at sixth-form, college or in further training who go the extra mile at their place of learning to support fellow students, improve school life for their peers, and take a leading role in extra-curricular activities.

Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year: This award celebrates the outstanding achievement or dedication of individual primary or nursery phase teachers.

Secondary Teacher of the Year (sponsored by the University of Bradford): 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 had a huge impact on their school in the past 12 months.

Newcomer of the Year (sponsored by Bradford for Teaching): This award celebrates the successes of teachers new to the profession, such as newly qualified teachers. Entrants should have been in education at any level for a maximum of two years, and in that time proved valuable, born teachers for the school, raising morale and standards among 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 of the Year (sponsored by Broadway Bradford): This award honours the staff at schools who are passionate about making sure their school and pupils take pride in the area where they are based and ensuring the school is an integral part of the local community. Whether it be adult education lessons, litter-picks, community improvement schemes or regular fairs for neighbours to visit, we want to hear about the people who put their school at the heart of the community.

Governor of the Year (sponsored by Bradford Council): This award recognises the crucial role governors play in the operation of schools, and the ideas and plans they create which have a significantly positive impact on pupils, and the ongoing commitment to the school.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 26.

To nominate, visit: thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/nominationform/