About the awards

There are 10 Professional Teaching Awards, all of which are nominated for by the public. Use the definitions below to help you decide which category is most appropriate for your nomination.

• Headteacher/Principal of the Year

The award is reserved for headteacher or principal who have been in their current school/college for a minimum of 3 years.  Awarded to an individual who can demonstrate that they are able to inspire others. An exceptional headteacher or principal who can demonstrate the ability to engage the school or college in the community and the community in the school to make a difference for every learner. Also, provide evidence of supporting colleagues in other schools and colleges.

• Inspirational use of the Welsh Language

This award is for teachers/lecturers or other staff who have inspired learners and colleagues in their school/college, to use and enjoy the Welsh language. Nominees could work in English medium, bi-lingual and Welsh medium settings. They could use classroom learning, collaboration with colleagues and outside bodies or other innovative approaches.

• Outstanding New Teacher

This award is reserved for teachers who are in their second or third year of teaching in a school. Awarded to an individual who demonstrates enthusiasm and excellent classroom methods to support pupils’ learning and produce outstanding results. Whilst showing early leadership qualities they have commitment to their own professional development for the benefit of learners. They demonstrate collaborative techniques and a desire for innovation to promote effective learning.   

• Teacher of the Year in a Primary School

Awarded to an individual that displays the qualities of an exceptional teacher. Providing evidence of care, compassion and enthusiasm for teaching. Evidence of being an excellent role model for the younger generation and relentless in getting higher standards and has a positive impact on all their pupils’ learning.

• Learners’ Award for Best Teacher or Lecturer

This award is designed for a learner (or group of learners) past or present to nominate a teacher or lecturer or other member of staff who has made a huge difference to their life in school.

A teacher or lecturer who has inspired you to want to learn, offered you advice and support regarding your wellbeing and motivated you to do your best.

• Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School

Awarded to an individual that displays the qualities of an exceptional secondary school teacher. Providing evidence of care, compassion and passion for their subject. Evidence of being an excellent role model for the younger generation and relentless in getting higher standards and has a positive impact on their learning.

• Learning Support Assistant

Awarded to those who have provided outstanding support and had an exceptional impact on the teaching and learning in the school.

• The Betty Campbell (MBE) award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

Awarded to an individual, team or school/college that has demonstrated an excellent awareness of the importance of an inclusive education as part of a society that confronts and addresses racism, and can evidence the delivery of clear outcomes. 

• Lecturer of the Year

Awarded to an individual that displays the qualities of an exceptional college lecturer. Providing evidence of care, compassion and passion for teaching. Evidence of being an excellent role model for the younger generation and relentless in raising standards and has a positive impact on all their learners.

• Learners’ Engagement in School/College

Awarded to an individual, team or school/college that has demonstrated an excellent approach to help improve learner engagement and attendance and can evidence the delivery of clear outcomes. 

The easiest way to nominate is via our online form. You can save your progress and submit once you’re happy. You will get an automatic email receipt after you’ve completed the form.

If you would prefer to complete a nomination form offline, please email teachingawards@gov.wales with your contact details and the category that you wish to nominate for.

• Nominees can include qualified teachers or lecturers and support staff of learners in schools or colleges.
• All full-time, part-time and peripatetic teachers, lecturers and learning support assistants are eligible for nomination, including teaching and non-teaching heads, principals in schools/colleges.
• An entry form can be completed and submitted by parents or carers, learners, headteachers or principals and colleagues.
• A nominee who has retired or will retire before the end of April 2024 may not be nominated for an award.
• The Awards cannot accept posthumous nominations or nominations for retired practitioners.
• Individuals may not nominate themselves for an award.
• The Professional Teaching Awards Cymru shall be permitted to exclude any nominee at any time at its sole discretion.

• Type your nomination in a Word document first. This will make it easier to check and correct your nomination before copying and pasting into the form. This will save time and allow you to convey your message more clearly.
• If you don’t know the person you are nominating personally, supply as much detail as you can, including contact details where possible.
• Select the correct category. Think about what type of activity and/or roles in which they have excelled.
• Give good examples. Always explain how your nominee has achieved success. Do not use assertions such as “The nominee has worked throughout their career”; explain what the nominee has done with evidence. 
• Remember to explain: who they are, what exactly they have done and why they are worthy of a Professional Teaching Award Cymru.
• Don’t nominate the same person more than once in the same category. Multiple nominations will not change the outcome.

• 9 January 2024 - Award nominations open
• 2 February 2024 - Award nominations close
• May 2024 - Short-listed finalists announced
• July 2024 - The Awards Ceremony

All finalists in each of the 10 categories are selected by a national panel of judges.

The judges will be representatives from the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru who will work with the four regional consortia to ensure that all nominations are given full consideration. 

Their role is to judge and score all of the entries using the agreed judging criteria.  Welsh Government will co-ordinate the process and ensure that judging teams will maintain fairness throughout. 

The panel of judges will meet to discuss the nominees and the shortlisted finalists will be announced in May 2024.

By submitting your nomination form you consent to our privacy notice.  There are two forms which refer to the nominee and the nominator.