TEACHERS, students, classes and schools who are top of the class were rewarded for their efforts in the first Warrington Guardian Schools Awards.

The awards were launched in April in a bid to recognise the exceptional efforts made in our education establishments across the town.

And we were inundated with more than 100 entries.

There were awards in 12 categories up for grabs and the winners,

selected by a panel of judges, were invited to a presentation evening at the Village Hotel on Wednesday, June 29.

They came from schools, nurseries and colleges in the town.

Hayley Smith, editor of the Warrington Guardian, said: “The awards were a fantastic occasion.

“It was lovely to hear of the range and quality of teaching taking place in our town and it was great to be able to celebrate with them and hear about their success.

“Everyone remembers their favourite school teachers and it was brilliant that so many people took the time to tell us about theirs.

“We know from our Inspiration Awards how much there is to celebrate in Warrington, but we were truly humbled by the quality and variety of entries.

“We are looking forward to next year already.”

The winners received trophies, certificates and a bottle of bubbly (or sweets

for the younger winners).

Cllr Jean Carter, executive member for education at Warrington Borough Council, was among those to hand out an award.

“My background is in health but since I have worked in education I have been struck by the quality of the teaching here.

“We really do have some excellent teachers here in Warrington making a real difference to the lives of our young people,” she said.

Roll of honour>

1 SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Stockton Heath Primary School

2 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Deb Feltham, head teacher at Sankey Valley St James’ Primary School

3 HEAD TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Colleen Everett, head teacher at Sacred Heart Primary School

4 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Charlotte Cummings, Great Sankey High School

5 PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPIL

Alfie Pitts, from Stockton Heath Primary School

6 SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPIL

Clara Jones, University Academy Warrington

7 FURTHER EDUCATION STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Hannah Pinnington, Warrington Collegiate

8 SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR

Julie Capper, Oakwood Avenue Primary School

9 INNOVATION AWARD

Culcheth High School

10 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Sarah Bond, Rock Oil

11 CLASS OF THE YEAR

Year three, class 12, Chapelford Village Primary School

12 EARLY YEARS AWARD

Cheshire Day Nursery

For interviews with all our winners, pick up a copy of the Warrington Guardian - in shops today.