What makes a good entry?

GIVE YOUR ENTRY STRUCTURE

A well-structured entry is key.  Start with a brief summary that highlights the main reasons for the nomination. Use clear, jargon-free language, and ensure each criterion is addressed thoroughly.  Organise the content with headings, subheadings, and bullet points.

Include details about how they overcome the most challenging aspects of their role .  It’s important that the entry is written by someone who truly knows the nominee, or that the nominator has consulted with those who do.

EVIDENCE AND IMPACT

Evidence of impact is the most important aspect of your entry.  Our judges look for clear, concise examples that demonstrate the nominee’s impact on students, colleagues, and the broader education community—whether on a regional or national scale. If, for instance, a Headteacher is credited with turning a school around, it’s important to show exactly how this was achieved.

Impact on Learners: Provide specific examples of their direct influence on learners. Highlight practical evidence of high-quality, inspirational teaching that encourages a love of learning and demonstrates excellent classroom skills. For teaching assistants and school leaders, include evidence of inspirational support, leadership, and creative approaches that engage and motivate both children and staff.

Impact on Colleagues: Describe how the nominee has positively influenced their colleagues. Have they supported others or helped them improve? Consider their role within the staff community beyond the classroom or staffroom. Have they boosted morale or consistently uplifted those around them in some way? Our judges love hearing about these contributions, no matter how big or small.

Impact on the Wider School Community: Highlight the nominee’s overall contribution to the life of the school and the community.

Personalied details are what make your nominee truly stand out.

BRING THE ENTRY TO LIFE

Written statements and quotes provide a much more compelling narrative than data – especially comments from parents or pupils whose lives have been positively impacted by the nominee. These are most effective when they reference something specific, for example, ‘Ms X made a huge difference to me when she… the effect this had was …’

Where relevant, you could include supportive quotes from a broad range of sources, such as senior leaders, businesses, health or social care agencies, and local community voices. These perspectives highlight the nominee’s impact beyond the classroom.

It’s essential that someone who knows the nominee well writes the entire entry, not just           detailing what they do but also providing specific examples and the impact of their work. Personalisation is key.

THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING

Put simply, if your nominee isn’t shortlisted, what would our judges be missing out on? Share the values and truly unique examples of practice that set your nominee apart—something related to their role that has made a real difference to children’s lives. Our judges are particularly keen to see initiatives or approaches that are unprecedented in the school or unlikely to be found elsewhere, especially when they demonstrate innovation and determination, rather than just long working hours. What makes this teacher a National Award winner, and how could showcasing their exceptional practice inspire and benefit other educators across the UK?

WIDER CONTRIBUTION

Highlight how your colleague has made a significant contribution beyond their core responsibilities. Consider areas such as their involvement in extra-curricular activities, community engagement, or initiatives that enhance the wider school environment. You could examples such as:

• Leading or supporting school clubs or events
• Organising or participating in fundraising activities or community outreach programmes or any achievements they have contributed to that reflect their broader impact within the educational community
• Championing eco-friendly initiatives, such as Eco-Schools or sustainability projects or contributing to the development of students through other enrichment activities

Provide clear examples to demonstrate how their efforts have gone above and beyond, enriching the school experience and making a positive impact.

Personal Journey and Inspiration

To help our judges understand the nominee as a whole person, beyond their role, please share what has shaped their personal and professional journey. Were there key influences from their own education, a significant person, or a defining event in their life? What inspired them to pursue a career in education? Your insight into their motivations and background will help our judges appreciate the individual behind the educator.

DATA

Although we expect to see some pupil progress or attainment data, or recognition by external agencies such as OFSTED to show your nominee’s impact on pupils, our judges prefer this to be kept to a minimum.  They carry out due diligence if your entry reaches shortlisting stage. At this point they can obtain data / Ofsted reports.

ENTRIES THAT ARE NOT UNIQUE

We want to emphasise the importance of submitting unique, personalised nominations that reflect the individual / team you’re celebrating.

Recently, we’ve noticed that AI-generated or AI-assisted entries often contain repetitive or generic statements that simply echo the criteria without offering real insight. These entries can lack the personal touch and specific details that make a nomination truly stand out.

If you choose to use AI for support, please ensure your entry still reflects your own voice, includes specific examples, and offers personalised evidence or testimonials that highlight the nominee’s unique impact. Remember—it’s the details and authentic stories that truly bring your nominee to life!

LINKS

You can submit up to 3 additional evidence files along with your written entry. Hyperlinks to other documents, videos, social media etc should be classed as additional evidence and not part of the entry.