From Shakespeare’s Sonnets to Keats’ Odes, the influence of poetry in education is considerable, and schools providing creatives means to support pupils’ literacy developments with the writing style are eligible for a Kent Literacy Award.

The awards celebrate innovative and supportive methods used by teachers and school staff to engage children and further their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

Reading and writing poetry is common practice across the county’s schools and the Kent Literacy Awards recognises their important role with the Best Use of Art and Poetry category.

Nominations remain open for the awards and are accepted from teachers, school staff, management, parents and pupils. All nominations must be submitted before the April 29 deadline so time is running out to get involved.

Simon Dolby, chief executive at the KM Charity Team which organises the awards, said: “Poetry enables children to not only understand words, but also to appreciate their beauty. The detailed, descriptive nature of this storytelling form is perfect for developing skills which will go on to assist their adult lives.”

He added: “The awards were designed to say thank you to those hard-working schools who are giving pupils a vital boost for a more fruitful future. If you’d like to show your support, why not submit one or more nominations this weekend.”

All nominations will be judged by the Kent Literacy Awards panel made up of key partners including Golding Vision (Part of Golding Homes), Southern Educational Leadership Trust (SELT), Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, The Canterbury Tales, Kent County Council, Beanstalk, Social Enterprise Kent (SEK), School News Group, Medway Council and Hallett & Co.

The winners will be invited to an awards celebration evening at Sittingbourne’s Hempstead House Hotel and Spa at the end of June.

A summary of all the winning submissions will be published and circulated to every school in the region, further promoting the schemes such schools provide.

All nominations must be received by noon on April 29. To submit one or more, visit www.kentliteracyawards.co.uk