TODAY we launch this year’s The Bolton News School Awards 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.

These are the second time we have held the awards.

Children and senior teachers to support staff were celebrated at a special evening to honour the difference they make in their schools and community.

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 sponsors for Lifetime Achievement Award; Bristol Street Motors for Secondary School Pupil of the Year; Cole Securities for Secondary Head Teacher; Bolton Council for Secondary Teacher of the Year and Primary Teacher of the Year; Bolton Sixth Form College for Secondary Class of the Year; Surveyroof for Primary School of the Year and Hunters Cheerleaders for Hayley Mathieson Fundraiser of the Year Award; Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe for Primary School Pupil; Parr Group for Teaching Assistant of the Year; Anthony Axfords for Unsung Hero; UTC for Secondary School of the Year; Bespoke Composite Doors for Primary Head Teacher and Primary Class of the Year

Entries are invited from teachers, parents, governors, pupils and anyone with knowledge of a particular school.

To downloaded the form, visit theboltonnews.co.uk/school_awards.

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 Friday, September 23, 2016 and they can be emailed to: lisa.schofield@nqnw.co.uk or post to Education Awards, The Bolton News, The Wellsprings, Civic Centre, Bolton BL1 1AR

If you have any inquiries, please call 01204 537271.

The winners will be presented with awards at a ceremony at The Holiday Inn, Bolton town centre on November 17 2016. All applications will be considered and entrants using the official form agree to accept the judges’ decision as final.