Caring school staff helping pupils through daily struggles will be recognised at the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

Nominations for the annual teaching awards include the pastoral care category for individuals providing a nurturing and supportive setting for pupils.

Sally Williamson of Salus, which is championing the pastoral care award, said: “We think that the schools in Kent do an amazing job and that’s down to the teachers and the staff that are based within them.

“We know from the things that children tell us, from the things that parents tell us, and teachers themselves, that teachers go way above and beyond what could be expected of them to make sure our children achieve the best possible outcomes.

“This year we’re supporting the pastoral care award and that can be staff including Family Liaison Officers, SENCOs, a really specialist TA who’s been helping a particular child or a group of children. It can be anybody who’s working to improve outcomes for children through the many struggles that they might come up against.”

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team which is organising the awards said: “Why not nominate that special person at your school who is creating an atmosphere in which pupils feel valued, safe and secure, and helping them with their learning and social development?”

The awards include categories for anyone making a difference to the success of a school including teaching staff, volunteers, management and support staff.

Entries will be judged by a panel including representatives from Kent County Council, Canterbury Christ Church University, Social Enterprise Kent, Leeds Castle, Marlowe Theatre, Kent Sport and Physical Activity Service, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, CXK, Kreston Reeves, Loop CR Ltd and the following departments at the University of Kent: History; Biosciences; European Culture and Languages; Politics and International Relations; Physical Sciences; and Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science.

Leeds Castle will host a glittering awards dinner in May honouring around 50 staff and schools.

Members of the public and school staff can submit one nomination or more at www.kentteacheroftheyear.co.uk before March 8.