Region’s top schools in anxious wait for awards

May 9 2008 by Graeme Whitfield, The Journal

THE region’s top schools will be honoured at a special ceremony in Newcastle next week. Now in its second year, the North East Schools Awards will see The Journal teaming up with our sister paper on Teesside, the Evening Gazette, and sponsors Northumbrian Water to recognise the unsung work making a difference to our children’s education.

From inspirational teachers and dedicated school staff to the hard-working pupils, there are hundreds of people who work to make the area’s schools some of the best in the country.

And next Wednesday will see pupils and teachers from across the region coming together to see who has won this year’s prizes.

There will be five individual prizes for top primary school teacher, secondary school teacher, headteacher, support staff and caretaker.

And there will be five prizes for work done in schools: School Newspapers, Sustainable Schools, Healthy Living Award, the Environment Award and Active Community.

One of the prize winners will also be chosen to hold the prestigious title of North East School of the Year.

Alistair Baker, communications and PR manager for main sponsors Northumbrian Water, said: “Our support for the Schools Awards reflects how committed we are to all our customers, young and old.

“Northumbrian Water is delighted to be involved in the second year of these prestigious awards that recognise the talents and skills that exist in our region’s schools.”

Last year, Hurworth School, near Darlington, was named North East School of the Year, and there were prizes for schools in Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland, County Durham, Stockton and Saltburn. This year’s awards take place at the Centre for Life in Newcastle next Wednesday and all the winners will be unveiled in next Thursday’s Journal.

Journal editor Brian Aitken said: “Last year was the first school awards, which was a really magnificent occasion.

“The Journal is proud to run many awards but the school awards are very special and something of which we are particularly proud.

“It made us think that this is something that we should have started earlier.”

Individual awards are sponsored by industrial giant SembCorp Utilities UK, Sunderland University, JR Holland Food Services and waste management team Sita.

To see the shortlist of nominations, go to page 2