Send us your Warrington Guardian Schools Awards nominations

Sacred Heart Primary was named School of the Year at last year's ceremony, and head teacher Colleen Everett said staff were delighted just to be nominated.

“We were absolutely ecstatic to find out that we had been nominated for School of the Year,” she said.

“It was brilliant that we had been recognised in that way.

READ MORE > Warrington Guardian Schools Awards winners 2018

“There are some excellent schools in the Warrington area, so it was just wonderful to hear that we had been nominated.”

And this delight turned to pride after learning that the school had in fact won the award.

Judges were particularly impressed with how children were given countless opportunities to enjoy both the arts and sport.

“To actually win was an amazing achievement and I am really proud of everyone involved and the school as a whole,” said Colleen.

Our 2018 teaching assistant of the year Dion Kemp

“It really was a proud moment, and all the staff work so hard every week so it’s great to be recognised with an award.

“The fact that nominations are made by parents is also a great honour and we were made up to be crowned School of the Year.”

A driving factor behind the school’s success, according to judges, was its motivation to succeed through strong leadership and passionate teaching staff, whose excitement for new ways of learning proved contagious.

This is something staff at the Whitecross school have strived to continue ever since.

The 2018 head teacher of the year Amanda Dodd, from Culcheth Primary School

Colleen said: “We have tried to maintain our high standards after winning last year so nothing major has changed.

“The award is something that people in the area recognise and it is great that our school came out on top.

“It has also meant we could get a great big banner made and put on display to highlight our achievement!"

Colleen praised the awards and said she hoped the school would be able to continue its good form in the event.

“To win another award at this year’s ceremony would mean everything to us and we would absolutely love it,” she said.

“It is always nice to win awards to recognise your hard work.”

The Warrington Guardian School Awards for 2019 are free to enter and the deadline for entries is Thursday, May 23.

THE CATEGORIES ARE >

1 CLASS/TEAM OF THE YEAR

Do you know a class or team that deserves to be rewarded? It may be a sports team that has gone the extra mile, an after-school club that has carried out outstanding work in the community, or a class of primary or high school pupils that have excelled in their studies or on a special project. We want to find the top team for 2019.

2 PUPIL/STUDENT OF THE YEAR

This award is for a child or teenager in full time education who deserves special recognition. Whether they have excelled academically, achieved excellence in their extra-curricular activities, or had to overcome adversity to succeed, we want to hear about your hardworking children.

3 TEACHING ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR

This award is for a dedicated teaching assistant who has made a real difference in their school, someone who shows kindness and compassion to the children they care for in their day to day school life and plays a vital role in their wellbeing and happiness.

4 and 5 TEACHER OF THE YEAR (Primary and High School)

Do you know a top teacher or NQT who inspires their pupils or students to fulfil their potential? The winner of this category will have made an exceptional contribution to the school or college they work in and will go over and above to provide the best opportunities for the children they teach.

6 HEAD TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Is your head teacher head and shoulders above the rest? For this award we want to recognise an inspirational primary or high school head teacher who has shown exceptional leadership skills and commitment and provided a dynamic learning environment at their school or college.

7 UNSUNG HERO AWARD

This award is open to any member of non-teaching staff who plays a key role in the smooth running of their school or college. Whether it is a midday assistant, cook, caretaker, governor, administrative staff or school crossing patrol assistant, tell us who your unsung heroes are.

8 EARLY YEARS AWARD

This award will go to a childminder, nursery, school or organisation that provides exceptional early years provision. Let us know what impact their efforts have had on the nursery or children in their care.

9 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARD

This award is for an individual, class, year group or whole school who play an active role in their community. Whether it is raising money for charity, performing for others or helping the most vulnerable, we want to hear about the fantastic work they do to help make Warrington a better place.

10 HEALTHY LIVING AWARD

A new category for 2019, this award is for a year group, department or school that has made it a priority to encourage pupils to lead a healthy lifestyle. Nominations could focus on new mental health and well-being initiatives, sporting activities or environmental projects.

11 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Does your primary or high school stand out from the rest? Not only do we want to hear about academic achievement, we also want to see entries that demonstrate how your children have developed in ways that go beyond the league tables. Whatever your school’s achievements, whether it is through competition success, improving attendance levels, developing healthy living policies or building better relationships with parents and the wider community, this is your chance to shout about how great your school is.

12 JUDGES SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This prestigious award is open to nominations from pupils, parents, school staff and teachers as we look to honour a person who has had a significant and positive impact on education in Warrington over a period of years. If you know someone who deserves recognition for their unwavering hard work and dedication, make sure you tell us about them.

To make a nomination click here