THIS week we’re again launching our popular Wirral Globe Schools Awards 2018 to celebrate all that’s good in the borough’s schools.

The awards aim to seek out the best pupils, schools, teachers and other staff and at the same time highlight innovation and best practice across the area.

Wirral-based Typhoo Tea are once again the award’s main sponsor.

Wirral has some fantastic schools rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted and producing excellent exam results year after year.

And most of us can remember individual teachers who made a real difference to our school days.

They were the ones who particularly inspired us to explore, experiment and push ourselves.

But many feel the efforts of teachers and staff are frequently undervalued so these awards aim to acknowledge and reward excellence.

Entries are invited from teachers, parents, governors, pupils and anyone with knowledge of a particular school.

All schools are welcome to enter as long as they are based in Wirral.

Individuals or institutions can enter more than one category but this should be made clear on the entry form.

The last date for receiving entries is Wednesday, June 13, and they can be emailed to caroline.jackson@nqnw.co.uk or posted to Wirral Globe Schools Awards, Editorial, Haymarket Court, Hinson Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 5BX.

Or you can fill out an entry form by clicking here. 

The winners will be presented with their awards and certificates at a special ceremony to be held at the Thornton Hall Hotel on June 28, hosted by Radio City’s Leanne Campbell.

Somnath Saha, Typhoo chief executive, said: “Being a large employer on Wirral we are delighted to be able to support our local education establishments by sponsoring the awards.

“We are passionate about education and believe the awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of all contributors including students, teachers and support staff.

“We have an excellent local education system producing talented individuals in Wirral, and we at Typhoo Tea are proud to support this.

"We endeavour to continue supporting our local education establishments as much as possible to help develop the skills set in the Wirral and Merseyside region.”

It is the third year of our school awards – last year’s winners were…

Class of the year: Birkenhead sixth-form college theatre studies class

Unsung hero of the year – Gordon Pollock from Woodchurch C of E primary school

Primary school of the year – Grove Street primary, New Ferry

Secondary school of the year – Weatherhead high school

Enterprising school of the year – Wirral grammar school for boys

Primary pupil of the year – Zak Smith, St Werburgh’s primary school, Birkenhead

Secondary school pupil of the year – Lucy Hamilton, Upton Hall School

Inspirational teacher – Leanne McGowan, Woodslee primary school

Headteacher of the year – Neil Dyment, Weatherhead high school

Lifetime achievement – Debbie Crowley, Wirral grammar school for girls