The Department for Education and Skills is searching for champions of city schools who have helped raise education standards dramatically in urban areas. Anyone involved with the Excellence in Cities (EiC) programme can nominate a pupil, teacher or volunteer who has made a difference to their own or others’ education for the first EiC Champion Awards. Ten winners will be welcomed to an awards ceremony in London on October 14, hosted by schools standards minister David Miliband. To nominate an EiC Champion you should write to the DFES giving the person’s name, age, and involvement in the programme, and explain why they should be selected in no more than 250 words. Send the nomination with your address and daytime telephone number to the following address to arrive by Monday, September 23: Champion Competition, Area GN, DFES, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT www.dfes.gov.uk