JUDGING has taken place and the finalists can now be revealed for The Golden Apple Awards 2019.

The awards will showcase true excellence in education across all levels of learning in Cumbria, highlighting everything from outstanding care to young children to amazing academic achievement.

Finalists feature inspirational figures from classrooms and lecture theatres, as well as those who go above and beyond to make us achieve our very best.

They also highlight collective and individual successes which, quite rightly, fuel hope for an innovative and bright future for the county.

Finalists in the awards, which will be presented during a celebration at Energus, Lillyhall, in October, can be revealed as students receive their A-level results.

The Golden Apple Awards, presented by Newsquest Cumbria in association with the University of Cumbria and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, are a firm favourite on the county’s education calendar.

Hundreds of nominations were received. The task of judging them was carried out by former winner Cherry Tingle of Energy Coast UTC, Dr Singy Hederson, dean for student services at the University of Cumbria, Karen Thomson, of accountancy firm Armstrong Watson – who are among the event’s sponsors – and Newsquest Cumbria journalist Pamela McGowan.

Pamela said: “The standard of nominations was high and really did showcase the great talent and potential we have in Cumbria. Judging was a real difficult job.”

Newsquest Cumbria publishes The Cumberland News, Times & Star, The Whitehaven News, News & Star and The Mail.

Meet the finalists

Best secondary school

n Energy Coast UTC

n Furness Academy

n Walney School

best primary school

n Stanwix Primary School

n Bishop Harvey Goodwin

n North Walney

Best learning, development and training provider

n System People

n Cumbria Learning and Improvement Collaborative

BEST INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE

n LLMAC, Beaconhill

n UTC/Morgan Sindall

n Primary Business Partnership

best inclusion initiative

n Cumbrian Academy for Autism

n People First

n Kick Start, Furness Academy

n Kiddleywinks

best newcomer

n Jonathan Carswell, Carlisle College

n Jamie-Lee Robinson, Lakes College

n Hope Redmond, UTC

best education and learning leader

n Andrew Beattie, Pennine Way

n Judith Schafer, Cumbria Futures Federation

n Clare Render, Good Shepherd

best use of technology

n Dalton St Mary’s CE Primary School

n North Allerdale Development Trust Limited

best teaching professional

n Mark Bailey, Netherhall School

n Jo Atkinson, Caldew School

n Paul Slater, North Walney Primary

BEST TEACHING ASSISTANT

n Catherine Coleman, Energy Coast UTC

n Leanne Bousfield, Inglewood Primary School

n Sandra Allen, Belle Vue Primary School

n Karen Whitehouse, Walney

BEST SUPPORT STAFF

n Jennifer Rowlands, Cumbria Futures Federation

n Clare Stabler, NADT

n Kay Malone, North Walney Primary

BEST STUDENT

n Victoria Glaston, Barrow Sixth Form College

n Harrison Savage, Netherhall Student

n Angel Kirk-Henry, Furness College

best early years provider

n Hunter Hall Pre-School

n Kiddlywinks, Penrith

n St Peter’s Nursery, Carlisle

BEST COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

n Energy Coast UTC

n Furness Academy - Academy Calling

n Cumbria Constabulary and Ewanrigg Junior School

n Girls Gang CCC and UoC

best apprentice

n Daniel Jackson, Innovia

n Chloe Wagstaff, Furness College

n Benjamin McKenna, Glaxo SmithKline

n Matthew Tognarelli, People First

health and wellbeing

n Cockermouth School

n University of Cumbria

n Active Cumbria, Cumbria County Council

n Chance Camp

n Bike Club Beacon Hill

Winners of the eagerly-anticipated awards for Against All Odds and Person of the Year will be announced on the evening.