The search starts today to honour the best schools and teachers in the Examiner Schools Awards.

Today we reveal the categories and how to enter with the winners announced at an awards ceremony in July.

The awards are run by the Examiner in association with Huddersfield education recruitment agency Vision for Education.

Whether you are a school, teacher, pupil, or a parent this exciting event is your chance to salute your school, classes and projects as we aim to highlight and celebrate the very best.

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If your school, your class or your teacher deserves an award all you need to do it submit your entry form before the deadline at midnight on Friday, May 11.

Simply download an entry form from the website, select a category or more than one if it applies to your school, complete the entry form and return it to us by the deadline by emailing it to awards@examiner.co.uk.

All finalists will be invited to attend a celebratory lunch and awards ceremony on Thursday, July 5 at Kirklees College where the winners will be revealed. The afternoon will be hosted by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.

If you have any questions simply call the Examiner events team on 01484 437702.

Examiner Schools Awards, Kirklees College, Huddersfield. Harry Gration comperes the 2017 ceremony.

The awards are sponsored by Oakes-based Vision for Education, who said: “We are delighted to be the main sponsor of the Examiner Schools Awards for the third year. As a leading education recruiter in the area, we are thrilled to support the event which recognises and celebrates the success of local schools and pupils.

“Vision for Education offer a high quality recruitment service for schools of all kinds providing quality, reliable teaching and support staff as and when schools need them. We have a large pool of qualified and experienced staff, available for emergency and short-term cover. You can also rely on us for long-term supply and permanent recruitment.

“We operate under a simple set of values in everything we do. This means our aim is always to be open, honest and ethical in the way we do business. We have a genuine commitment to the learning and development of children and young people. We believe in educational quality, safeguarding children and supporting our teaching and support staff.

“Our consultants are knowledgeable about the current education climate and the challenges faced by schools. Our role is to be there to take at least one thing off your mind - recruitment.

“We are an official partner of TES Global and have dedicated primary, secondary and SEND consultants at our Huddersfield branch who work with schools across the Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield and Bradford areas.

“As well as providing a first class recruitment service we strongly believe in adding value to our partnerships and your pupils’ experiences which we do through sponsorship of activities, regular competitions and volunteering in schools.”

The Huddersfield office can be contacted on 01484 642889 and the website address is www.visionforeducation.co.uk

Here are the award categories:

Healthy Living Award

For a class or whole school who make it a priority to lead a healthy lifestyle. This could be by encouraging pupils to exercise more, drink more water, eat healthy foods or maybe at your school you grow vegetables and encourage outdoor learning.

Active Community Award sponsored by Vision for Education

This award is for a class, year group or whole school who play an active role in their local community which may be through raising money for a local charity.

School Communication Award

Open to all schools that have an excellent communication strategy which may include print (such as school newspapers, newsletters, posters), online (websites or apps) and social media (Twitter & Facebook) in the 2017/18 academic year. Communications should involve and engage with the whole school community.

Trainee Teacher of the Year

Open to all trainee teachers on placement in Kirklees as part of school or university led teacher training courses. This award will recognise the excellent teachers of the future.

School Support Staff of the Year

This award is for any member of non teaching staff who has played a vital role in the running of the school and the happiness and security of the children. It may be a teaching assistant, administrative staff, caretaker or any other member of support staff who make a real difference to your school.

Inspirational Teacher of the Year sponsored by Collins

Does your teacher inspire you? Are your children encouraged to achieve by an extra special teacher? Our teachers play a vital role in shaping the futures of our children. We are looking for a teacher who has shown constant dedication inspiring young people every day.

Headteacher of the Year sponsored by Schofield Sweeney

For an outstanding school leader whose guidance and leadership has helped create a dynamic learning environment where the pupils are happy and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Class/Team of the Year

This award is for an outstanding class or team. They will have worked together to really stand out in every aspect of school life, whether it be through excellence or simply helping to make their school a better place. Maybe it’s a sports team that has trained hard, maybe an orchestra, choir or drama group that has worked together on a performance.

SEND School / Alternative Provision of the Year

This award will recognise a special educational needs and disability school or alternative educational provision who, for what can be an array of reasons, deserve to be commended for their fantastic and inspirational work, progress, achievement and, most importantly, ‘making a difference’ in the last year. We would love to hear about your stories, journeys, new credentials, new provision or ways of working, to help us recognise and celebrate the unique work that you do.

Primary School of the Year

Awarded to the primary school who, in the opinion of the judges, have had an outstanding academic year. This may be improvements in attendance levels, parent engagement or examination results. You may have made or developed or built upon partnerships in the local or business community, achieved new credentials or achieved competition success.

Secondary School of the Year sponsored by Kirklees College

Awarded to the secondary school who, in the opinion of the judges, have had an outstanding academic year. This may be improvements in attendance levels, parent engagement or examination results. You may have made or developed or built upon partnerships in the local or business community, achieved new credentials or achieved competition success.