With senior leaders now nominating their colleagues as part of the Teach Portsmouth Awards, we're pleased to introduce an all-new category: the people's choice award. For the first time, local residents will be able to nominate a Portsmouth-based teacher, support team or leader who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.
Every year, Teach Portsmouth and Portsmouth Education Partnership celebrate the achievements of the city's teachers at an awards ceremony. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions placed on large scale events, a digital awards ceremony will be held instead.
Teach Portsmouth Awards Live will take place on Thursday 11 March, inviting friends, family and colleagues of those shortlisted to share the experience online in nine award categories.
"The Teach Portsmouth Awards are always a fantastic way to celebrate the achievements of Portsmouth's superstar teachers. More so than ever before, COVID-19 has shown the resilience of colleagues across the city."
"The introduction of the people's choice award gives the local community a chance to say thank you to the school staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty."
Councillor Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council
This year, The News will be sponsoring the people's choice award category to showcase the incredible support offered by teachers in Portsmouth.
Alongside The News, other category sponsors include Portsmouth College, The National Education Union (NEU), Thinking Schools Academy Trust (TSAT), Kier Construction, The University of Portsmouth, Caterlink, BAE Systems and Express FM, working in partnership with Teach Portsmouth to raise the profile of education in the city.
"Recognising the efforts of school staff in the city is more important than ever before. It has been a challenging year for school staff across the sector."
Mike Stoneman, deputy director for children, families and education at Portsmouth City Council
"The Teach Portsmouth Awards are a great way to showcase teaching excellence but also the care and attention colleagues have shown families, young people and children during this time."
We recently updated readers about our plans for the awards as well as announcing the final list of categories for the digital event. More information about the awards will be released in the coming weeks.
Nominate a superstar teacher, support team or leader
If you know a teacher, support team or leader who has gone above and beyond during the pandemic, we'd love to know. Nominate them in the people's choice award category today. Submit your application alongside a maximum of 200 words telling us why they deserve the award.