Kent business McCabe Ford Williams is counting on families and schools to help develop child literacy across the county while there’s still time.

The firm of chartered accountants is calling for nominations for the Kent Literacy Awards - which includes the categories Best School Library, Best Initiative to Encourage Speaking, and Best Use of Technology - by the deadline of May 1.

Any member of school staff, pupils or parents can put forward the most successful literacy initiatives at their primary or secondary school by using the simple online form at www.kentliteracyawards.co.uk.

Details of the winning themes, schemes and projects will be published and circulated to every school in Kent, Medway and Bexley to share best practice; and help every child to learn to read, write, speak and listen with confidence.

Leigh Jones of McCabe Ford Williams, a key partner of the awards, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Kent Literacy Awards. As a firm a key part of our business is working with schools and academies and it’s just nice to be able to give something back.”

He added: “As a profession people usually believe we’re more to do with numbers than letters but a key part of our business is communication with clients, and obviously that can only be achieved through good communication skills.”

The Kent Literacy Awards will be staged at Hempstead House, Sittingbourne in June and attended by special guest Phil Gallagher, better known as CBeebies’ Mister Maker. This year, children can submit online or handwritten book reviews for the chance to meet the arts and crafts hero at the awards event. Find out more by clicking here.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team, which is organising the event, said: “The awards offer a fantastic opportunity to find out what ideas and techniques are working in the classroom and share them with a wider audience. It’s so important to nominate and give schools a well deserved pat on the back as well as ensure that even more children benefit from their good work.”

Kent Literacy Awards are supported by organisations including Kent County Council, Medway Council, Bexley Council, Beanstalk, Golding Vision, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, KMFM, Orbit South, AC Goatham and Son, Whitefriars, Specsavers, KM Facilities Management Group, and Kent Libraries.

Visit www.kentliteracyawards.co.uk to nominate before May 1.