The award recognises their role in helping to raise the status of teaching and the prospects for their communities. Nominees will be honoured at an award ceremony at the Dorchester hotel in London on Friday when the award will be given to the nominee judged to have made the best contribution to education.

The TTA has sponsored the award for the last three years and is keen to attract more ethnic minority recruits into teaching. The Agency has had a strategic aim of increasing the number of trainees recruited from minority ethnic backgrounds to seven per cent in 2002 (reached this year), and to nine per cent by 2005.

Ralph Tabberer Chief Executive of the TTA said:

'The teaching profession should be representative of society as a whole, and I'm glad to say many more people from minority backgrounds are coming forward to train as teachers - almost 2,000 or seven per cent of this year's trainees. But we want to increase our recruitment by at least a further 1000 each year.

'We need to encourage new graduates, and those thinking about changing their careers to consider teaching. It is an excellent career with the chance to make a difference in young lives. Minority ethnic trainees offer an untapped reserve of skills and talent, and we need the new ideas and creativity they can bring to the classroom.

'I hope the achievements of those who were nominated for this Education Champion Award will inspire others who may be considering teaching to enter the profession.'

Notes to Editors

The Teacher Training Agency has sponsored the last three Windrush Awards. For further information on nominees, visit the Anserhouse website or call the TTA Press Office on 0207 926 3735.

4. The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training and induction.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Press Office on 0207 926 3735/3855
or e-mail pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: 0207 925 3700
For further information on becoming a teacher, visit the TTA website Teach or contact the Teaching Information Line 0845 6000 991, or for Welsh speakers 0845 6000 992. Minicom line 01245 454343

EDUCATION FINALISTS 2002 (details posted on www.anserhouse.co.uk)

PAV AKHTAR Cambridge
Pav has overcome immense hurdles having spent some of his early years in a local authority home for children. Pav obtained a place at Cambridge University and then a first class degree before being elected the first ethnic minority Cambridge University Student Union president in its 900 year history with the largest margin of victory in 30 years.

Pav has encouraged black and ethnic minority students to progress in education through publications and is now principal representative at Cambridge Students' Union. He engages in campaign and welfare work for student's interests.

NIC CAREEM London
Nic founded the Thinking outside of the Box organisation bringing positive social change to the community through creative means. His achievements include the Anne Frank anti hate declaration signed by Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Tony Blair Bill Clinton and many legislators. Consultative work with the Metropolitan police and crimestoppers.

PAUL DASH London
Paul is a lecturer in Education on PGCE and MA courses, Goldsmith College, University of London, and has been widely published in journals and academic papers. He is an artist and overcame his own rudimentary education to achieve distinction and success in his own field rising to inspire the next generation of teachers into teaching; education and art.

Dr SPINDER DHALIWAL Middlesex
Spinder founded the Centre for Asian Entrepreneurial research, University of Luton and is now its Director. Her current role is Principal Lecturer in Economics, Entrepreneurship and Business and is an extensive author including of Silent Contributors- Asian Female Entrepreneurs and Women in Business.

ANDREA GREEN Nottinghamshire (automatic finalist)
JACQUELINE STANFORD Cambridge
Academic Research Fellow, Cambridge University, and respected writer and thinker focusing on Race and multicultural issues in Britain. Jacqui has successfully campaigned for better access to amenities for black students. She describes herself as : 'bad ass, principled, vulnerable, sagacious and visionary'.

YASMIN VALLI Leeds
Senior Lecturer and Route Leader, Leeds Metropolitan University.

A pioneer and leader in recruiting black and ethnic minority teachers, Yasmin has forged a path for herself as a black woman in a largely white male field. Yasmin established a website, Teacher World (sponsored by the Teacher Training Agency) to promote and support ethnic minorities, is an Ofsted inspector in Information Technology issues and has published widely on education and race issues. Her ultimate ambition is to empower and enable people through educational achievement.