The star of CBeebies show Mister Maker has called on schools to submit entries for the Kent Literacy Awards before Wednesday’s deadline.

Phil Gallagher urged schools not to be modest about their literacy success stories, but to share them with fellow educators so other children could benefit from the same techniques.

Organised by the KM Charity Team, the literacy awards are for primary and secondary schools, and recognise initiatives that develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Mr Gallagher said: “I’ve been involved as an honorary patron with the KM Charity Team for several years now.

“The role has led to me visiting a number of schools taking part in reading reward scheme Buster’s Book Club, and that’s brought home to me just what a dramatic impact good literacy projects can have on children’s lives and well-being.

“I think it’s really important that projects that do succeed in raising children’s reading, writing and listening skills are celebrated and publicised.

“So I would urge schools and their staff to submit nominations now for the Kent Literacy Awards.

“I would also ask them not to be modest and be really proud of their achievements – something that you think of as being routine could be a real eye-opener for another school.”

The awards categories include: best use of drama to promote writing, speaking and listening skills; best reward scheme; and best use of cross-curricular reading opportunities.

The judges are Golding Homes, Coram Beanstalk, the Crown Foundation, Tribeca Technology Group, the University of Kent, Hempstead House, Reed Education, McCabe Ford Williams, The Education People and KM Facilities Management.

They will choose separate winners for Kent’s individual boroughs, Medway, Bexley and Bromley, as well as for the region as a whole. The awards ceremony takes place at Hempstead House in Sittingbourne in July.

Nominations can be submitted by teachers, support staff and management here by May 1.