More than 1,400 teachers have been entered for this year's "teachers' Oscars".

The Teaching Awards Trust, which runs the scheme, had postponed the deadline from early December because of poor entry figures.

This was despite extending the awards, intended to raise the profile of teachers and boost their morale, to Wales and Northern Ireland.

The awards were made for the first time last year in England.

The original deadline was extended to 14 February after initial entries barely topped last year's total of about 900.

The trust now says it is pleased with the response, and that entries are still coming in as many schools had asked to submit late nominations.

Judging will begin soon, and regional winners are due to be declared in June.

The national winners are due to be announced in October at a ceremony to be broadcast on television by the BBC.

There are eight categories of award, and each has three specific criteria which nominated teachers have to meet.

Then there are common criteria to be considered by the judges on the awards panels:

• Enthusing and engaging pupils with the process of learning - raising their sights, broadening their horizon and enhancing their learning potential.
• Contributing to the ethos and morale of the school by inspiring and encouraging teaching and non-teaching colleagues
• Communicating effectively with, and responding to, parents and the wider community.

The awards were pioneered by the Labour peer Lord Puttnam, chairman of the new General Teaching Council for England.

Four of last year's winners were recognised in the New Year's Honours List.