Teachers, support staff, school governors and hard working pupils are among those who can now be nominated for an award to recognise their efforts and their contribution to education in Suffolk.

Suffolk County Council have this week announced the launch of the Raising the Bar Awards, which will celebrate success and endeavour in the county’s education system.

The awards are part of the council’s response to the ‘No School an Island’ enquiry into school standards, which sought to find solutions to the county’s flagging position in national league tables.

Raising the Bar was launched by the council to turn standards around, and the awards are expected to motivate those who are making the most positive contribution to education and learning in Suffolk.

Judges want to hear from anybody who values a brilliant school governor, the effort a member of the community makes to ensure young people get the best possible learning experience or who is proud of a young person’s determination to learn.

People can nominate candidates for twelve categories in total with the winners being announced in March next year.

Councillor Lisa Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for education, skills and young people, said: “Individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to delivering high quality education in our county should receive the recognition they deserve.

“The Raising the Bar Awards are about rewarding ambition, hard work and excellence within Suffolk’s education system.

“By celebrating success, we hope to raise awareness of these achievements across the county and see best practice adopted more widely.”

The awards categories are as follows:

· Innovation in Education and Skills

· Excellence in Achievement

· Teaching Excellence

· Educational Leader of the Year

· Visionary Management

· Governor, Trustee or Non-Executive of the Year

· Partnership in Education (Sponsored by East of England Co-op)

· Support Staff of the Year

· Young Person of the Year (three awards based on age groups)

· Business Partner of the Year Sponsored by Spring

· Volunteer of the Year Sponsored by Mark Harrod

· Significant Contribution to Education in Suffolk

Business leaders are already backing the Raising the Bar Awards. The East of England Co-op is this year’s headline sponsor. Nick Champion from the Co-op said: “The East of England Co-operative Society has been local and independent for over 140 years.

“Supporting young people in achieving their potential is right at the heart of what we are about and these awards are about celebrating success in this area.

“There are so many passionate, hard working people in the education sector and these awards recognise the efforts everyone makes to work together in true co-operative style.”

The awards are open to all publicly-funded educational establishments including Early Years Foundation Stage providers through to colleges within Suffolk.

Nominations can be made by anyone and can be self nominations or nominations of others. To make a nomination or to find out more about the criteria for each award please visit: www.rtbawards.co.uk.

Nominations close at 11.00am on Wednesday, February 12, 2014.