School staff up for awards

By Tracey Sparling

STOWMARKET and Chantry high school teachers have been shortlisted for regional awards.

The Teaching Awards - in partnership with BT and to be held in Cambridge on July 4 - will honour the East's most outstanding teachers and teaching assistants.

Head of Stowmarket High School David Oliver is one of three finalists in the Leadership Trust Award for school leadership in a secondary school, nominated by pupil Catherine Booty.

Robert Cunnell at Chantry High School is in the final four shortlisted for the Award for Lifetime Achievement, nominated by teacher Lorraine Cook.

The awards celebrate the vital role that teachers play in the community and highlight excellence and encourage best practice, by honouring teachers and teaching assistants.

A judging panel has been assessing hundreds of nominations made online at www.teachingawards.com. There are eight categories.

Each regional winner will be awarded a prize package worth £3,000 for their school - including a £2,000 cash grant and £1,000 worth of equipment.

Those who receive a special commendation will take a cheque for £250 back to their school.

The East Awards are one of 12 ceremonies taking place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland during June and July.

The winners from these events will be invited to attend the 2002 Teaching Awards Ceremony at the Theatre Royal, London.

National Winners will receive a further 'best practice' cash grant of £13,000 and prize

package including an interactive whiteboard, taking the total value of

their award to £25,000.

That event, will take place on October 27 and will be broadcast on BBC1 during early November.

Last year's star-studded ceremony, hosted by Carol Smillie, was watched by a television audience of 3.5 million.

For more details on how to make a nomination for the Teaching Awards 2003 see www.teachingawards.com.