The finalists for the 2016 Golden Apple awards are revealed today.

As people prepare for the start of the new academic year, many will be receiving invitations to the CN Group Education and Learning Awards next month.

Winners will be revealed at a glittering gala dinner at Carlisle Racecourse.

More than 200 guests will be invited to the event on October 7.

Lakes College, the further education college at Lillyhall near Workington, tops the list and is in the running for six awards including nominations for learner of the year, the against all odds category, apprentice of the year, lecturer of the year and outstanding new teacher.

Schools which were worst hit in last December’s floods also feature heavily.

Newman Catholic School in Carlisle appears four times while Ayesha Weston, head of Crosby-on-Eden’s village school – the only primary school affected - features in the against all odds category following its recovery.

Elsewhere, West Lakes Academy in Egremont and Ulverston Victoria High School – two of the best state-funded schools in the county – each have three finalists.

There are 19 categories in this year’s Golden Apples to reflect and recognise excellence and achievement in a range of formal and informal learning settings.

The awards are sponsored by the University of Cumbria and personal development and career guidance organisation Inspira.

CN Group publishes the News & Star.

CN Group Education and Learning Awards 2016 shortlist

Learner of the Year
Vincent Rourke, Lakes College, Lillyhall, Sarah Jackson, West Lakes Academy, Egremont, Robyn Holden, Barrow Sixth Form College

Support Staff of the Year
Sarah James, Newman Catholic School, Carlisle, James Jackson, West Lakes Academy, Egremont, Val Ritchie, St Bernard's Catholic High School, Barrow, Admin Staff, Ulverston Victoria High School

Community Involvement
Footprints of our Fathers, North Allerdale Development Trust, Wigton, Norman Street School, Carlisle, Rock Challenge Team, Newman Catholic School, Carlisle, Judith Stitt, Furness Riding for the Disabled Association

Technology in Learning
University of Cumbria, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall, Fab Lab, Cockermouth

Teaching Assistant of the Year
Tess Richardson, West Lakes Academy, Egremont, Deborah Dent, Warwick Bridge Primary School, Debra Capstick, Penruddock Primary School

Award for Enterprise
Stephanie Walker, The Nelson Thomlinson School, Wigton, Tracey Hill, William Howard School, Brampton, Bright Sparks, Centre for Leadership Performance, Cockermouth

Sporting Achievement
Lindal & Marton Primary School, Cumbria SPAAF & Story Homes, Carlisle, Cumbria School Games

Award for Youth
Carlisle Youth Zone, South Workington Youth Partnership. The Rock, Currock, Carlisle

Against All Odds
Gayle McCrickerd, Lakes College, Lillyhall, Ayesha Weston, Crosby on Eden CofE School, Robyn Holden, Barrow Sixth Form College

Apprentice of the Year
Jonathan Rowell, Lakes College, Lillyhall, Sam Meagan, Lakes College, Lillyhall, Jemima Armstrong, Glaxo Smithkline, Ulverston, Kai Athersmoth, Glaxo Smithkline, Ulverston

Inclusion Award
Lisa Postlethwaite, Newman Catholic School, Carlisle, The Engagement Centre, Ulverston Victoria High School, Wreay C of E School, Wreay near Carlisle

Outstanding New Teacher
Sam Proctor, Lindal & Marton Primary School, Danielle Cross, Solway Community College, Silloth, Natasha Spencer, Lakes College, Lillyhall

Teacher/Lecturer of the Year
Katie Olley, St Patrick's School, Cleator Moor, Fiona Dixon, Lakes College, Lillyhall, Emma McCormick, Ullswater Community College, Penrith

Headteacher/Principal of the Year
Nicola Corfield, Wiggonby CofE School, near Wigton, Susan Gill, Sandside Lodge School, Ulverston, Derek Kay and Sheila Johnston, Trinity School, Carlisle Valerie Bairstow, Kirkbride Primary School

Early Years
Sarah Cooper, Crosby Nursery, Crosby-on-Eden, Emmy Sealey, Ravenscar, Carlisle, Alison Allen, Abacus Nursery, Dalston

Primary School of the Year
Valley Primary School, Whitehaven, Kirkbride Primary School, Brampton Primary School, North Lakes School, Penrith

Secondary School of the Year
St Benedict's RC High School, Whitehaven, Newman Catholic School, Carlisle, Richard Rose Morton Academy, Carlisle, Ulverston Victoria High School

Futures and Employability Award
Inspira Ruth Buxton, Western Lakes Teaching School Alliance (based Keswick School), Samantha Addison, HIT Training, Penrith, Careers & Employability Service University of Cumbria

Lifetime Achievement
Professor Peter Strike, University of Cumbria