A final call to submit nominations for the Kent Literacy Awards has been made by a leading business in the county.

The annual awards celebrate initiatives used by schools to help pupils develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Nominations are open until 1 May.

Medway-based A.C. Goatham and Son’s celebrate its 70th anniversary this year and to give back to the community in this special year the firm is supporting the Kent Literacy Awards.

Carol Ford, commercial director at A.C. Goatham and Son, said: “I’d like to hear what your school is doing around literacy. tell us how your school develops children’s reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

“The earlier you start strengthening your literacy skills, the better an education you end up having through school life, and that converts into better opportunities within your working life.

“We as a business support literacy and literacy development because it helps us employ people here in Kent to do really important work within our business. So anything we can do to support literacy through these awards gets our wholehearted support.”

Nominations for the Kent Literacy Awards can be submitted by any member of school staff, pupils or parents. The 18 categories include Best Use of Drama, Best Use of Art or Poetry, and Most Inspiring Book Corner, as well as use of technology.

Winning schools will be invited to an awards celebration evening attended by Phil Gallagher, star of CBeebies’ Mister Maker.

Judges from literacy charity Beanstalk, Golding Vision, McCabe Ford Williams, Kent County Council, Medway Council, Bexley Council, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Orbit, AC Goatham and Son, Whitefriars, Specsavers, KM Facilities Management Group and Kent Libraries will select the winners.

To submit a nomination visit www.kentliteracyawards.co.uk