THE HUNT for Salisbury and South Wiltshire’s heroes of Education has begun and there’s a £100 Amazon prize on offer to those who nominate.

The Journal has launched it Education Awards for 2017 and we want our readers to tell us about the people who are making a difference in our schools and colleges.

There are many people who form the backbone of the teaching profession in the region and among them are some amazing stars. From the headteacher to the support assistant, from the Principal to the volunteers we need you to tell us about them and why they have that extra special ingredient.

Nomination is easy. All you have to do is choose the category or categories that apply and click on the form here.

It will take less than five minutes to complete and you will be in a chance to win a £100 Amazon Voucher. The winner will be chosen at random from those who have nominated a successful candidate in the awards.

Here are the categories:

1. NURSERY/PRIMARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Sponsor Woolley and Wallis

Celebrates outstanding achievement or dedication of individual nursery/ primary phase teachers, who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution to the life of their school/nursery.

2. SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Sponsor The Body Lounge

Celebrates outstanding achievement or dedication of individual secondary phase teachers, who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution their school.

3. COLLEGE TEACHER OF THE YEAR - Sponsor Aspire Defence

Celebrates outstanding achievement or dedication of an individual college teacher who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution to the life of their college.

4. SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

This category can include caretakers, support assistants, schools crossing patrol people and other non-teaching staff. It is aimed at those who always give exceptional service and make a real difference to their educational establishment through their work.

5. LEADERSHIP AWARD - Sponsor Wilsons Law

Celebrates outstanding achievement(s) of a head teacher or senior leadership team member or governor who has made an exceptional contribution to education.

6. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION AWARD - Sponsor Radiquip

Celebrates outstanding achievement or dedication of governors, parents etc who have shown dedication and commitment to their school on a voluntary basis.

7. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD - Sponsor New Hall Hospital

Celebrates the dedication of schools, pupils or teachers that have developed initiatives that forge strong links with their community.

8. INNOVATION AWARD 

Recognises a new idea which has had a significant positive impact on children and young people or an educational establishment that has demonstrated a commitment to providing new opportunities for students.

9. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AWARD

Recognises an outstanding and or/ innovative contribution to the teaching of Science and Technology in either a primary or secondary school.

10. BUSINESS IN SCHOOLS AWARD - Sponsor Moore Stephens

This category is to recognise an initiative by either a school or business that has forged a successful partnership to the benefit of a school and its pupils.