The finalists of the 2015 CN Group Education and Learning Awards – known as the Golden Apples – have been chosen. 

Judges gathered on Tuesday where they spent several hours debating and deliberating over this year’s bumper crop of nominations from across Cumbria. 

On the panel were Professor Liz Beaty, from the University of Cumbria, Mark Bowman, chief executive of Inspira, retired headteacher Sue Hatt, Furness College principal Anne Attwood, who won last year’s lifetime achievement award, and Kelly Pattison, education reporter for our sister papers The Cumberland News and News & Star. 

The meeting was chaired by Marie Whitehead, director of cnevents, part of CN Group. 

Marie said: “We are happy to have had such a panel of experts give up their time to judge the awards this year. 

“It has also been nice to see new people and new school and establishments being nominated for the first time, it has been a diverse range of entries this year.” 

Ms Attwood added: “Thanks must go to parents and everyone who put in nominations.” 

Professor Beaty said: “It takes a lot for individuals like parents and students to sit down and take the time to put the effort in and nominate someone in this way, on top of saying thank you which they’ve probably already done, and every single person deserves the recognition. 

“It has been quite a privilege to read through all these stories.” 

Judges were also impressed at the quality and depth of the nominations. 

“It is important to recognise what is going on across the board in education, it is not just about schooling or youth,” Mrs Hatt said. 

“It is about bringing people on in all walks of life. 

“Education is a real vocation and it is lovely to be able to recognise people in this way.” 

The CN Group Education and Learning Awards are this year supported by Inspira and the University of Cumbria. 

The winners will be revealed at a gala event on October 2 at Carlisle Racecourse. 

Cumbrian Newspapers, part of CN Group, publishes the Times & Star.