Judging took place earlier this week to decide who is in the running for the hotly-contested ‘Golden Apples’, which are being sponsored by Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and Invest in Cumbria.
The finalists from across the county range from a schoolcaretaker to some of Cumbria’s biggest education establishment and employers.
Poring over the entries this week were judges Professor Peter Strike, the new vice chancellor of the University of Cumbria; Helen Armstrong, former headteacher of Kirkoswald School, and a former school improvement officer; Sir David Hart, retired leader of the National Association of Head Teachers union; and Kelly Eve, education reporter at Cumbrian Newspapers, part of CN Group.
They said: “There was a very high standard of entries from across the educational field and across the whole county of Cumbria.
“They were particularly pleased with the range of people who had made nominations – students, parents, employers as well as teaching professionals.”
Candidates in the running for one of 19 team and individual awards include Gilsland School, North Lakes School in Penrith, Margaret Walker at Yewdale pre-school in Carlisle, Ellen Mothersdale at William Howard School in Brampton, Alison Richardson at Trinity School in Carlisle, and Erin Dixon, dance teacher at Ullswater Community College in Penrith.
The winners will be announced at a gala evening at the Energus centre, Lillyhall near Workington, on October 6.
The guest speaker on the night will be Stephen Henwood, the chairman of the University of Cumbria.
CN Group publishes The Cumberland News.