A new competition has been launched to celebrate the Teacher of the Year with a potential prize of up to £500 in "Watford Gift Cards" for the overall winners.

Residents are being urged to nominate a teacher, listing their name and why they believe they deserve the award in the national event.

Glen Hempenstall, the marketing and communications manager at Watford Town Centre BID (Business Improvement District), said: "As we approach the end of the school year, thoughts start to turn to how to say thank you to hardworking teachers.

"The Teacher of the Year competition is a chance to do just that, showing your appreciation for all they do.

"We have some amazing schools and teachers here in Watford, so why not take two minutes to nominate them today?"

The competition welcomes nominations for teachers across all areas of education, including primary and secondary schools, special educational needs, early years, teaching assistants, and headteachers.

The prize includes a £500 gift card for both the top teacher and the school where they work and a £250 gift card for one of the nominators.

The Watford Gift Card, introduced by Watford Town Centre BID in 2020 and conceptualised by fintech Miconex, can be spent with more than 140 businesses, from high street names such as Boots and M&S to local independent establishments and services.

Colin Munro, managing director of MiconexColin Munro, managing director of Miconex (Image: Miconex)

Colin Munro, the managing director of Miconex, said: "Schools, and teachers, are at the heart of our communities, and our Teacher of the Year competition is a celebration of the teachers who are going above and beyond to educate, help and inspire young people.

"We’ll be telling the stories of the nominations as they come in, giving teachers the recognition they deserve."

The deadline for nominations is August 31, with the winner to be revealed in September.

For those wishing to take part, nominations can be submitted at teacheroftheyear.co.uk.