A glittering awards night will be held at a top Southampton hotel to celebrate the work of Hampshire’s most dedicated education professionals.

Nominations for the first ever Daily Echo Education Awards have been flooding in and three finalists from each category will be invited to the ceremony at the Grand Harbour hotel on West Quay Road on May 11.

But with only a few days left to get your entries in now is the time to nominate the people who have made a difference to yours or your child’s education.

With entries closing on April 7, we want to hear about Hampshire’s most talented teachers, impressive newcomers and those whose voluntary contributions have really made a difference.

If you would like to sponsor the event please email natalie.sprake@dailyecho.co.uk.

If you would like to nominate your teacher, school, college or support staff go to http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/photographs/forms/education_awards/

The categories are:

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: This category celebrates the achievements of those who are new into the profession, for example a newly qualified teacher. Entrants should have been in either primary or secondary education for no longer than two years.

SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR:

This category can include caretakers, support assistants, school 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.

LEADERSHIP AWARD:

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement(s) of a Head teacher or senior leadership team member or governor who has made an exceptional contribution to education.

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION AWARD:

This category is to celebrate achievement or dedication of governors, parents etc, who have shown dedication and commitment to their school or college on a voluntary basis.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD:

This category is to celebrate the dedication of schools, students or teachers that have developed initiatives that forge strong links with their community.

INNOVATION AWARD:

This category is to celebrate 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.

NURSERY/PRIMARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR:

This category is to celebrate 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 or nursery.

MIDDLE/SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR:

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement or dedication of individual secondary phase teachers. We are looking for teachers who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution to their school.

COLLEGE/SIXTH FORM TEACHER OF THE YEAR:

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement or dedication of individuals from college or sixth form phase. We are looking for teachers who inspire and engage students and make an exceptional contribution to their education establishment.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

This category is for example to celebrate an individual or school that can demonstrate outstanding achievements for their educational establishment.

SCHOOL OR COLLEGE OF THE YEAR:

This category is to recognise a school or college that is more than just an education establishment. Do students, parents and staff come together to create something truly special? It could be local community involvement, or a different approach to learning? This award is not just for those which achieve fantastic exam results – we’re looking for those which go the extra mile for their students.