FINALISTS have been announced in this year's prestigious Newsquest Golden Apple Awards which celebrate all the very best of education in our county.

Following a shortlisting process from an esteemed panel of judges, a shortlist has been revealed ahead of the annual education awards set to held at The Greenhill Hotel, Wigton, on October, 12.

Headline sponsored by The University of Cumbria, the special evening is a chance to toast those who are top of the class as well as rewarding excellence in education and learning in all of its forms.

The coveted awards ceremony recognises talent, resilience and achievements of the education sector and its inspiring people.

The judges were Ruth Harrison-Palmer, director of the Institute of Education for the University of Cumbria; Cherry Tingle, CEO of Energy Coast UTC; Rebecca Graves, director of NRL; Elizabeth Kirkby, senior project professional, HR & communications at BAE Systems Submarines; Elaine Lynch, executive member, lifelong learning and development at Cumberland Council and Amanda Taylor-Beswick, director at the Centre for Digital Transformation.

Here are your Golden Apple Awards finalists for 2023:

Against All Odds Finalists

  • Kayleigh Graveson
  • Nicola Pennington of Kells Infant School
  • Blaine Hackett of Carlisle college

Best Apprentice Finalists

  • Joe McCartney of Sellafield
  • Deniss Fridenbergs of Carlisle College
  • Stephanie Armstrong of Energy Coast UTC
  • Aaron Groggins of Sellafield

Best Early Years Provider finalists

  • Yewkids Nursery
  • Kinder Park Nursery
  • Lambkins Day Nursery and Pre-School Centre

 Best Education and Learning Leader finalists

  • Joanna Daulby of Workington Academy
  • Robert Barton of Seaton Academy
  • Tom Davidson of University of Cumbria

Best Education and Professional Newcomer finalists

  • Nicola Godley of University of Cumbria
  • Mohamed Alwaheshi of Lakes College
  • Sky Banks of Energy Coast UTC

Best Inclusion Initiative finalists

  • Programme and Project Partners (PPP)
  • North Allerdale Development Trust
  • Susan’s Farm
  • Furness College DFN Project Research

Best Industry Engagement finalists

  • Inspira
  • Energy Coast UTC
  • Mission CX, Energy Coast UTC

 Best Primary School finalists

  • Sir John Barrow School
  • Kells Infant School
  • St Cuthberts Catholic Primary School

Best Secondary School finalists

  • St Bees School
  • The Whitehaven Academy
  • Ullswater Community College

Best Student finalists

  • Megan Talford
  • Naomi Peet
  • Mischa Pattinson

Best Support Staff finalists

  • Barry Keal of Caldew School
  • Marica Winterburn of Carlisle College
  • Emma Graham of Whitehaven Academy

 Best Teaching Assistant Finalists

  • Tracey Needham of Sacred Heart Primary School
  • Teaching Assistant Team at Appleby Primary School
  • Joanna Rose of Whitehaven Academy

Best Teaching Professional finalists

  • Jennifer Whittam of St Bernards School
  • Jay Watson of The University of Cumbria
  • Nicola Butler of Lakes College.