Nominations are now open for the Kent Literacy Awards.

The awards were launched at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury on Tuesday, March 5.

KM Charity Team chief executive Simon Dolby and trustee Martin Vye and awards coordinator Karen Brinkman were joined at the Beaney by representatives of awards judging organisations Coram Beanstalk, the Crown Foundation, Golding Vision, McCabe Ford Williams, Tribeca Technology Group and the University of Kent.

The nomination process will close on May 1, and the awards will be presented at a ceremony at Hempstead House in Sittingbourne in July.

Mrs Brinkman said: “Literacy is absolutely central to what the KM Charity does, and these awards are such an important part of our year’s work.

“The aim is to celebrate and share best practice, so educators in Kent can learn about innovative and effective approaches to improving literacy in schools, and to help raise standards and performance across the county.

“The more nominations there are, the greater the diversity of initiatives and approaches we can celebrate and share. So please, please, please get in your nominations now.”

In addition to the organisations present at the Beaney, the awards’ other judges are Reed Education, The Education People, KM Facilities Management and Hempstead House.

The awards are for primary and secondary schools in Kent, Medway, Bromley and Bexley, and recognise initiatives that develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The categories are:

• Best circle time

• Best home reading initiative

• Most engaging writing topic

• Most effective use of IT to enhance writing

• Most effective use of IT to enhance reading

• Best initiative to encourage speaking and listening skills

• Best use of drama to promote writing, speaking and listening skills

• Best use of art or poetry

• Most successful programme for engaging pupils with English as second language

• Most engaging writing competition or theme

• Best use of cross curricular reading opportunities

• Best use of cross curricular writing

• Best promotion of reading for pleasure

• Best school library

• Most inspiring book corner

• Most engaging book week theme

• Best reward scheme

• Best speaking competition or debating club.

Nominations are accepted from teachers, support staff and management.

Submit nominations and find out more at KentLiteracyAwards.co.uk.