GOING back to school in September can be a tough time for some pupils.

But youngsters at Brook Acre Primary School say they have had a smooth transition thanks to their 'amazing' teacher Gayle O'Brien.

Year three pupil Courtney McCarthy nominated Miss O'Brien for September's teacher of the month title after she instilled confidence in pupils returning to the Orford school this month and 'always had a smile on her face'.

Her nomination added: "Nothing is a problem for her and anything she can do to help she will do it."

It lead to an emotional presentation for the popular teacher who said she had been completely surprised by the award.

Miss O'Brien added: "I'm over the moon and delighted but I'm not sure exactly what I've done.

"I think it's because we can have fun, there's a lot of smiles and we can make things enjoyable.

"Parents know they can come and talk to us as well and if you can help a parent to feel welcome, the children won't have any anxieties about coming back to school."

Her 12 year career at Brook Acre follows a life-long dream to be a teacher which started with her playing with a blackboard and making her own register at home when she was a child.

She added: "I just always wanted to make things fun for the children and find creative ways for them to learn.

"A lot of the time they might not realise they're doing a particular subject say for example English as it's linked in with others like science or history."

Assistant head teacher Vicky Cunniffe said it was a 'well-deserved' award.

She added: "She loves being with the children and doing what's best for them.

"It was overwhelming when we heard she had won and it's wonderful recognition."

Each month, the Warrington Guardian celebrates the hard work, dedication and achievements of one deserving teacher in the town. The award, which is sponsored by education recruitment and training consultancy Academics Ltd, honours a teacher who has made a real difference to the school community.

To nominate a deserving teacher for next month’s teacher of the month award e-mail lauren.hirst@nqnw.co.uk.