Following on from the success of last year's inaugural campaign, the Birmingham Mail, in association with a variety of big name sponsors, are delighted to present the Schools Awards 2009 to their readers and are now welcoming entries from local schools across the city.
The awards cover both community and curriculum based projects, as well as individual excellence, and will honour whole schools, classes and individuals. This campaign has received much commercial support from sponsors such as, a central Birmingham Shopping Centre, The Pallasades, Barclays, Kingsmill, Legal & General, Thinktank Museum and Drayton Manor Theme Park.
There are 10 award categories in total including a School of the Year Award. A panel, made up of representatives from the Schools Awards sponsors, will judge individually the nominations for each category and short list schools/individuals for each award category who will be invited to attend the Schools Awards luncheon and awards ceremony to be held on December 16. Over £6,000 worth of bursary prizes will be available to all shortlisted schools.
The prestigious luncheon and awards ceremony will be held at Thinktank, an excellent learning and educational environment for both primary and secondary school children and their families.
Mandy Brain, Head of Consumer Marketing BPM Media said: "The Schools Awards are an exciting initiative for the Birmingham Mail, one which we are continuing to build on. They are a great way to raise public awareness of the excellent and inspiring work that schools and their staff across the West Midlands produce daily and celebrate that success. Both local and national sponsors have shown great interest in the campaign and we look forward to receiving lots of nominations from schools across the region."
Nominations are being encouraged from schools, parents, staff, local community members, governors, etc. Readers and schools can enter via the paper and also online at Birminghammail.net.
The award categories are as follows:
Anti-bullying Campaign Award This award is for a school who are raising awareness of bullying and encouraging children, parents, staff and other community members to talk about the issue. The Birmingham Mail is hoping to encourage children and adults to Speak Out Stop Bullying and this award aims to support and highlight this.
Best school newspaper or school website award Open to all schools that have produced a newspaper/website in 2008/9. To qualify, schools must produce a publication/website that contains relevant news for their audience.
Go Green School Award For this category, the judges will be looking for how the whole school has made or is making changes to become more sustainable. These might be changes made by the efforts of one class, the whole school or an eco-committee.
Healthy Living Award For a class or whole school who makes it a priority to have healthy lifestyles. This could be by exercising more, drinking more water, eating healthy foods, having an anti-bullying campaign or growing vegetables to use in the kitchen.
Barclays Money Skills Award This is a new award for 2009 and one which we feel has huge relevance to school children and their families across our region, particularly during the tough financial times that the country is now facing. The Birmingham Mail and Barclays are searching for schools that are developing programmes/activities specifically designed to help children understand the importance of budgeting and managing finances. This may be built in to the curriculum through mathematics or personal, health and social education or it may be a club/extra curricular group run by students that is financially managed by its members.
Inspirational Primary Teacher For a teacher in a nursery, first or primary school that goes the extra mile to give children the best start in their education.
Inspirational Secondary Teacher For a teacher in a middle, high or secondary school who goes above and beyond the call of duty to get the best out of their children, regardless of ability.
Head teacher of the Year For an outstanding school leader, whose guidance and leadership has helped create a dynamic learning environment, where the pupils are happy and encouraged to reach their full potential.
School Support Staff of the Year This award is for any member of non-teaching school staff, who play a vital role in the running of the school and the happiness and security of the children. It may be a caretaker, school secretary, lunchtime supervisor, PTA member, etc...
The School of the Year Award One of our shortlisted schools will be crowned the School of the Year 2009. This is a prestigious award which is awarded to the school that the judges feel has an outstanding approach to all aspects of school life and the curriculum. The winning school will receive a special trophy and framed certificate.
