A host of West Cumbrian nominees have been revealed as finalists in this year's CN Group Education & Learning Awards.

The accolades, known as the Golden Apples, celebrate the best of teaching and learning in the county.

Among the nominees are Greg Brough of Netherhall School in Maryport and Charlie Minshaw of Energy Coast University Technical College at Lillyhall, who are among the finalists for the Learner of the Year award.

The UTC is also been shortlisted in the Support Staff of the Year category, with a nomination for personal learning manager and learning support assistant Cherry Akred.

UTC student Paige Brown, of Seaton, is among the finalists in the Apprentice of the Year category, alongside Jamie Lee Robinson, a Tata Steel apprentice who studies at Lakes College, Lillyhall.

Fellow Lakes College student Darren Kilvington is among the finalists in the Against All Odds category.

Victoria Infant & Nursery School in Workington is in the running for the Primary School of the Year award a year after its sister school Victoria Junior School won the accolade last year.

Victoria Junior School has been shortlisted in the Community Involvement category alongside Maryport Extended Schools Partnership.

The Award for Enterprise sees shortlisted nominations from Graduates Restaurant at Lakes College, Lillyhall, and St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Workington.

Gen2 at Lillyhall is up for both the Technology in Learning and the Excellence in Training awards.

Beckstone Primary School has made the shortlist for the Sporting Achievement Award.

Martin Ulyatt of Cockermouth School is among the finalists in the Award for Youth category.

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

Finalists

Learner of the Year:  Greg Brough, Netherhall School, Maryport; Alistair Kirk, Barrow Sixth Form College, Barrow-in-Furness; Charlie Minshaw, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall.  Support Staff of the Year:  Cherry Akred, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall; Megan Hughes, Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness; Paul Walker, Carlisle College.  Community Involvement:  Blooming Youth, North Allerdale Development Trust, Wigton; Maryport Extended Schools Partnership, Maryport; Victoria Junior School, Workington.  Technology in Learning:  Caroline Jourdain, Mayfield School, Whitehaven; Gen2, Lillyhall; North Allerdale Development Trust Media Group, Wigton; 

Wigton Infant School.  Teaching Assistant of the Year:  Alison Harper, Mayfield School, Whitehaven; Mrs Grogan, William Howard School, Brampton.  Award for Enterprise:  Graduates Restaurant, Lakes College, Lillyhall; Jonathan Scott, Cumbrian SPAA Foundation, Carlisle; St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Workington.  Sporting Achievement Award:  Beckstone Primary School, Harrington; James Rennie School, Carlisle; North Walney Primary School, Barrow-in-Furness. Sport & Physical Activity Alliance Foundation, Carlisle. Award for Youth:  Catherine Moss, Tullie House Museum, Carlisle; Martin Ulyatt, Cockermouth School; Riding for the Disabled Furness.  Against All Odds:  Darren Kilvington, Lakes College West Cumbria, Lillyhall. Matthew McMorrow, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith; Scarlett Wright, Barrow Sixth Form College, Barrow-in-Furness.  Apprentice of the Year:  Paige Brown of Seaton, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall; Jeff Hayward, Oxley Group/Gen2, Ulverston; Jamie Lee Robinson, TATA Steel/Lakes College, Lillyhall.  Inclusion Award:  Dingley Dell, Pennine Way Primary School, Carlisle; Riding for the Disabled Furness; Woodend Country Childcare, Lamplugh.  Outstanding New Teacher:  Steven Barclay, Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness; Michael Cookson, Trinity School, Carlisle; Helen Scott, St Benedict’s Catholic High School, Whitehaven.  Teacher/Lecturer of the Year:  Lisa Bewley, Richard Rose Morton Academy, Carlisle; Joan Carter, Adult Education Carlisle; Dave Crowe, William Howard School, Brampton; Susan Little, Wiggonby CoE Primary School, Wigton.  Headteacher/Principal of the Year:  Sue Blair, Pennine Way Primary School, Carlisle; Lynne Harrison, Irthington Village School, Carlisle; Christopher Kirkup, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith.  Early Years Award:  Kiddlywinks Nursery, Penrith; Nutkins Nursery, Hunter Hall School, Penrith; Woodend Country Childcare, Lamplugh.  Primary School of the Year:  Kirkbride Primary School; Norman Street Primary School, Carlisle; Victoria Infant & Nursery School, Workington.  Secondary School of the Year:  James Rennie School, Carlisle; St Bernard’s Catholic High School, Barrow-in-Furness; West Lakes Academy, Egremont.  Excellence in Training Award:  Gen2, Lillyhall; Stone Eden Training, Aglionby, Carlisle; The Edge, c/o Carlisle College, Carlisle.  Lifetime Achievement Award:  John Metcalfe, Carlisle.