EVERY year sees more change and challenges in the education sector – but despite the upheavals our secondary schools continue to turn out responsible, educated pupils who go on to further education or work.

That’s what this award is all about – rewarding a school and ALL the individuals who contribute to the establishment rather than singling one or two people out as we do in other categories.

It’s about how people work together to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts – whether that’s in the classroom, sports arena or work/life skills.

Last year the deserved winner was Pleckgate High School.

This year we’d like your nominations for more fabulous secondary schools in Pennine Lancashire - whether it’s in the rural Ribble Valley or one of the bigger centres like Blackburn and Burnley.

This category gives each school the chance to let a wider audience know how hard they are working to give youngsters the best possible start in life.

Secondary schools also have an important role in the community and many work alongside local groups to give their pupils a sense of the wider world and community responsibilities.

And if the pupils are educated in a fun, creative manner where they see the staff working together then all the better!

Every year we receive entries for this award which show that schools in East Lancashire are going that extra mile to give their pupils the best chances in life.

It’s not just about exam results, but about nurturing talent and aspiration while giving pupils the skills to equip them for the modern world.

It’s about celebrating the people who make up a school and how pupils’ potential is realised - not the buildings and state-of-the-art equipment.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/education_zone/schools_awards.