Awards guide you to simply the best

7th March 2003, 12:00am

FOR an easy way to track down excellent resources, keep an eye out for the Education Resources Awards (ERAs). The accolades, organised by the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA), recognise innovation and quality across the spectrum.

There are 14 categories, including ones for special needs, UK Innovation, ICT and Supplier of the Year. The awards provide an opportunity for small suppliers to compete against the big companies; this year, small outfits such as 2Simple Software, Birchfield Interactives and Kudlian Soft are up against market leaders such as Granada Learning, Oxford University Press and 4Learning.

The ERAs also recognise teaching excellence, with awards for Leadership in Teaching and Educational Establishment of the Year. This year there will be a four-way face-off between Banovallum secondary school, Kingston upon Hull; Belfast Model school for girls; Bishop David Brown school, Surrey; and Malvins Close first school, Northumberland.

Ray Barker, director of BESA and chair of the judging panel, says: “The Education Resources Awards provide a unique opportunity to highlight the quality, innovation and diversity of educational products and resources, the best educational establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching profession, all working together to raise standards in schools and colleges.”

BESA will display the nominated products on its stand (G10) and the winners will be announced on the evening of March 13, the first day of the show.

The results will be posted in the Headteachers’ Lounge. Winners and runners-up will display posters and certificates on their stands.

More information on the BESA website: www.besanet.org.uk

Resources Awards categories

* Special Education

* Early Years

* Primary

* Secondary

* ICT - Secondary

* ICT - Primary

* Education Exporter of the Year

* Educational Establishment of the Year