TODAY we launch The Bolton News Awards 2017 to celebrate all that’s good in the borough’s schools.

The awards aim to seek out the best pupils, schools, teachers and other staff and, at the same time, highlight innovation and best practice right across the area.

Bolton has some fantastic schools, rated outstanding by Ofsted and producing excellent exam results year after year.

But many feel the efforts of teachers and staff are frequently undervalued so the awards aim to acknowledge and reward excellence.

Award sponsors are: Bolton College, the awards' main sponsor, for Lifetime Achievement Award; Scan for Secondary School of the Year; Bristol Street Motors for Secondary School Pupil of the Year; Cole Security for Secondary Head Teacher; Bolton Council for Secondary Teacher of the Year; Bolton Sixth Form College for Secondary Class of the Year; Bespoke Composite Doors for Primary Head Teacher; Ye Olde Pastie Shop for Primary School Pupil; Bolton Council for Primary Teacher of the Year; Surveyroof for Primary School of the Year; Parr Fire Protection Services for Primary Class of the Year; Unison for Teaching Assistant of the Year; Anthony Axfords for Unsung Hero Award; and Rosehill Nursery for Hayley Mathieson Fundraiser of the Year Award.

Entries are invited from teachers, parents, governors, pupils and anyone with knowledge of a particular school and can be submitted on the entry form via the entry form - BN School Awards Nomination Form 2017.pdf

All schools are welcome to enter as long as they are based in the borough.

Individuals or institutions can enter more than one category but this should be made clear on the entry form.

The last date for receiving entries is September 22 and they can be emailed to: lisa.schofield@nqnw.co.uk or posted to Education Awards, The Bolton News, The Wellsprings Civic Centre, Bolton ,BL1 1AR

If you have any inquiries, please telephone 01204 537271.

The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony at the Holiday Inn, Bolton Town Centre on November 9.

All applications will be considered and entrants using the official form agree to accept the judges’ decision as final.