WESTLEIGH High School teachers really are top of the class.

Music department head Vanessa Hobart has been chosen for the North West Young Teacher of the Year Award after being nominated by pupils.

This autumn she will be in the national awards ceremony in London after becoming regional champion during which judges observed her teaching and met staff, parents and pupils.

Head John Pout said: "Since she arrived at her school just over a year ago, she has transformed the life of the school with her exuberance, enthusiasm and spectacular dedication.

"As Head of Music, Vanessa has regenerated the subject, encouraging her pupils to achieve while breathing new life into a range of extra curricular music and singing clubs where all students are more than welcomed.

"Vanessa's innate joy in working with young people has unleashed a creative talent across the school that is irresistible and infectious. Pupils and parents alike, could not praise her more highly.

"Students describe her as 'amazing', 'inspirational', 'brilliant', 'wonderful' and 'exciting'. One pupil told Teaching Awards Panel Members: 'I can now sing solo in public and my confidence has increased. I have come out of my shell and it has helped me with all my studies. I have never looked forward to school so much'. A parent wrote: 'I am honoured that she teaches my child'."

"Her success follows Julie Levy winning the National Award for Special Needs and Michelle Dunning winning the Regional Young Teacher of the Year. This shows the depth and quality of our teachers and hence the quality of the learning our pupils are getting," adds Mr Pout.

Prize winner Vanessa said: "I feel both honoured and delighted to have received this award. The day itself was fantastic and an experience I will never forget.

"This award is a reflection of the extraordinary effort and enthusiasm displayed daily by both staff and students at Westleigh High School. The whole Arts team are a fantastic bunch of people who have made my job thoroughly enjoyable.

"I hope that winning this award will raise the profile of the importance of Arts activities within education. Every child is entitled to an opportunity to explore their own imagination and creativity and that I might share in that makes me extremely proud."