JUDGES are meeting today and tomorrow to pick the winners of this year’s Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards.

Dozens of teachers, parents, pupils and governors put pen to paper to nominate deserving candidates.

And, like last year’s inaugural event, the calibre of entries was extremely high, with a number of heart-warming and inspiring examples giving the judging panels a tough task.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Nominations were received from all over East Lancashire, with the Unsung Hero category proving the most popular this time.

Prizes will also be handed out for ten other categories covering primary, secondary and special schools, plus a Lifetime Achievement award and an Inspirational Teacher prize.

This year’s winners will be asked to attend a special ceremony at Stanley House Hotel in Mellor on Thursday, June 25, for their achievements to be publicly recognised.

Lancashire Telegraph assistant editor Emma Broom said: “Like last year’s Schools Awards, which were a first for the Telegraph, they have once again been received with great enthusiasm right across East Lancashire.

“We are delighted to be able to highlight all the positive work going on in our schools and I look forward to meeting the winners.

“We would also like to thank all the sponsors for making the awards possible.”

Among those on the judging panels is Mebz Bobat, head of service in education partnership services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Sir Bill Taylor, chairman of the corporation board at Blackburn College, has also agreed to lend his expertise.

Simon Jones, who represents the National Union of Teachers in Lancashire, said: “It’s nice that the Telegraph is recognising the hard work that teachers do every year.

“This is another opportunity to champion the great teaching talent that we have in the region.”

Last year’s winners included Denise Easton, who won the Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award for her work with poorly youngsters at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The reigning Primary and Secondary Schools of the Year are Peel Park Primary in Accrington and Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School, Blackburn.