A WOLVERLEY teacher is in the running for a national award after being chosen from more than 20,000 nominations.

Kerry Poole, subject leader for personal social religious education (PSRE) at Wolverley CE Secondary School, has been selected as a finalist for the Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School as part of the prestigious Pearson Teaching Awards.

Miss Poole said: "Being nominated for the Pearson Teaching Awards has been incredibly humbling and overwhelming. I have been teaching at Wolverley CE Secondary School for nearly 10 years and have seen it go from strength to strength.

"The students and staff I work with are inspirational. On a daily basis, the students I teach continue to surprise me with the insightful comments they make, or pieces of work they produce, often beyond my expectations.

"They show maturity and thoughtfulness of others, which is a credit to the school.

“I love my job immensely, but more than that, I love being part of the team at Wolverley. Our values allow our students to have 'ambition unlimited' and as a teacher, I could not ask for more.”

Established by David Puttnam in 1999, the awards recognise outstanding educational professionals in schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

After Miss Poole was selected as a finalist, the school received nearly 200 positive messages from students, parents, staff and governors in support of her work. The messages were passed on to the Pearson Teaching Awards’ judges, who visited the school to observe Miss Poole in the classroom.

Deputy headteacher Rebecca Hawthorne said: "We are absolutely delighted that Kerry has been selected as a finalist, it is a great honour and a credit to her.

"From the sheer number of positive messages received, it is clear that Kerry is a valued member of the teaching staff and someone that inspires our students to reach their full potential, no matter what their abilities.”

The winners will be announced on Thank a Teacher Day on Friday, May 16.