Your Chance To Celebrate Highland Education

Issued by The Scottish Executive:

Pupils, parents and teachers in Highland were today encouraged to celebrate success in their schools by having their say in this year's Education Oscars.

Launching the 2007 Scottish Education Awards at Edinburgh's Juniper Green Primary, Education Minister Hugh Henry called on communities to celebrate classroom excellence by nominating their favourite school or teacher for an award, on-line at www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk.

This year, two new accolades will be presented - the International Award and The Scottish Daily Record Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Mr Henry also met Juniper Green teacher Susan Ward, winner of the 2006 Scottish Probationary Teacher of the Year Award. Susan went on to scoop the UK Teaching Award for Outstanding New Teacher.

Mr Henry said:

"By submitting a nomination for the 2007 Scottish Education Awards, pupils, teachers, parents and the whole community can share with the world what's best about their school.

"It is our schools and teachers who work with the most valuable asset Scotland has - our children. They help shape the nation's future generation and deserve to be celebrated for the excellent work they do.

"So I would encourage anyone who has benefited from an inspirational teacher, gained skills thanks to a great enterprise project or even started to eat more healthily because of work in their school, to log on and nominate their school, teacher or educational supporter for an award."

Nominations for the awards open today and close on Friday, February 23, 2007. The award ceremony takes place at Glasgow's City Halls on Friday, June 15, 2007.