The best of education and learning across Cumbria - including the sector heroes - are to be honoured at a glittering ceremony brought to you by CN Group.

The 2017 Golden Apple Awards, sponsored by Inspira and the University of Cumbria, are being brought to you once again by Cumbria's leading independent media organisation.

They will recognise success, achievement and dedication and commitment across all sections of learning and skills development.

Entries have opened for this year's awards as the summer term begins - and your organisation could be one of the winners.

There are 20 categories for individuals, teams, organisations and businesses up for grabs.

Awards will recognise every area of education, learning and skills development whether learning takes place in a traditional classroom, training area or workplace or captures the imagination elsewhere, possibly a youth, sports or community group.

Anyone can submit nominations.

Those put forward for an award can range from students and teachers, to childminders, youth clubs and schools as well as universities, colleges and employers - the list is almost endless.

Wherever and however you learn a new skill, strength or fact you can nominate it for one of our prestigious awards.

There are also sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organisations to raise their profile across the county and showcase how they support education and skills.


Shortlisted finalists will be invited to a celebration at The Cube, the recently transformed restaurant at the University of Cumbria's Fusehill Street, Carlisle campus.

Winners will be revealed at an exclusive evening on Friday, October 6 and receive their award trophy in the presence of over 200 peers from the education and development sector.

James Higgins, editor of CN Group's North West Evening Mail, said: "Across the sector there is so much dedication and enthusiasm - and that's what we want to celebrate.

"As a father of three young children, I see week in and out the efforts of teaching staff at our primary and secondary schools.

"Through my role as editor, I am privileged to speak to and work with those behind our further education sector.

"It is these people, along with those who achieve through education, that we want to celebrate. So I urge you to do a great thing today and get involved. Nominate an individual or an organisation or school and show that what they do is appreciated."

Award-winning personal development and guidance organisation Inspira and the University of Cumbria are once again associate sponsors of the awards.

Mark Bowman, chief executive of Inspira, said: "We believe the Golden Apple Awards celebrate the very best in education, and really highlight the excellent work that is happening in Cumbria to help our young people get a fully rounded education.

"As part of Inspira's career management and personal development focus we facilitate employers and education institutions working together through the Enterprise Adviser Network and the Employee Mentoring programme.

"It is good to see the awards celebrating employability skills as we firmly believe young people need to have the soft skills as well as the technical skills to be fully prepared and thus successful in the world of work."

Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor of the University of Cumbria, said: "The Golden Apple Awards continue to provide us all with an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievement, endeavour and dedication of so many individuals involved in education across Cumbria.

"Shortlisted nominees as well as winners represent the very best of our county’s talent, committed so strongly to supporting the aspirations and attainment of our young people. So, once again, the University of Cumbria is delighted to be joint sponsors of the event."

She added: "The university’s focus is to support and promote education and learning in all its forms and at all levels.

"I am therefore particularly delighted, not least in our tenth anniversary year, that the University of Cumbria has been given the opportunity to host this year’s Golden Apple Awards. I look forward to welcoming nominees and guests to our Fusehill Street, Carlisle campus for the event in October."
Everyone is welcome to enter the awards, which will be assessed by a distinguished panel.

Sponsors will be able to meet winners and finalists on October 6 and have the chance to present awards.


To find out more about becoming a partner of the 2017 Golden Apple Awards contact business development manager Pam McLeod on 01228 612237 or email pam.mcleod@cnmedia.co.uk


Submit your nominations online at www.gaawards.co.uk , email goldenapple@cnmedia.co.uk or call Megan Norwood on 01228 612231.