THIS week is the last week to nominate your favourite teacher for Teacher of the Year.

The deadline for nominations for our competition is fast approaching and the last day to be able to nominate your teacher will be on Saturday, May 7.

We are inviting all students, parents, teachers, and school staff from every school in the area - primary and secondary; state, academy and private - to tell us who they think is an outstanding candidate worthy of recognition.

It could be a teacher, head teacher or teaching assistant, and we want staff and pupils to have a say in who the school nominates.

A great teacher is one of the most important people in a child’s life and in the Cotswolds and north Wiltshire, we are blessed with inspirational teachers who we want to celebrate for their skill and dedication.

Once a school has chosen their nominee, we will profile them in the Standard, giving their colleagues and pupils a chance to say why they are so special.

Then, after every school has nominated a teacher, we will hold a public vote to find our Teacher of the Year, with one winner for the Cotswolds and one for north Wiltshire.

The prize will be a meal for two at the Royal Oak pub in Tetbury and a trophy.

To nominate a teacher, grab a copy of the Wilts and Glos Standard, fill in the form and post it to Teacher of the Year, Wilts & Glos Standard, 74 Dyer Street, Cirencester, GL7 2PW.

Deadline for nominations is May 7.

Standard editor Michael Purton said: “Our competition is about celebrating those teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty to guide their pupils through both their education and the challenges that come with growing up in modern Britain.

“Although ultimately there will be two winners, our main focus is to highlight the outstanding work of teachers in our area.”