HARD-working teachers in York have been repaid for the inspirational work by grateful pupils who have named them as some of the city's community heroes.

In recent weeks, nominations for Teacher of the Year in the Community Pride awards have flooded in, with many coming from young pupils keen to say how amazing their teachers are.

Janine Davis, a French teacher at Canon Lee school, is caring and thoughtful, and has made the transition to secondary school a lot easier for pupil Chloe Leatherbarrow, 12.

Chloe said: “I would like to nominate Mrs Davis for this award because she’s not like any of the other teachers I have.

"If you have a problem she comes over straight away to help you. She lets you come to see her at lunch, break or after school if you need help.

“She always makes time for her pupils. She’s always got a smile on her face.”

Chloe's younger brother Jack, eight, and mum Catherine, have also put a nomination in for Jack's teacher at Burton Green Primary School, Christopher O'Malley.

Mr O'Malley inspires and encourages his pupils every day, and Catherine said she cannot praise him enough for his outstanding work.

"He is, by far, the best teacher I've met and will be remembered by all my children throughout their entire lives."

Mr O'Malley is known for his creative storytelling, and in turn pushes his pupils to take charge in assembly and perform in front of the rest of the school.

Catherine added: "I've witnessed Mr O'Malley reading The Gruffalo to the children in a variety of voices including Scottish, Spanish, and as a pirate which the children loved."

Also nominated is Janet Dunn, who has taught dance, drama and art at Heworth Primary for more than 30 years. She was put forward by pupil Emily Kane, 10.

Emily and her brother Adam, 13, both love the arts and have benefited from Mrs Dunn's hard work to make sure there is always room for art, music and drama at Heworth.

Emily said: “Mrs Dunn has always gone the extra mile to improve people’s learning. She has helped me and many other people do what they love.

“She is very creative and lively and she makes learning fun.”

With her retirement coming up, Emily, wanted to make sure Mrs Dunn gets the praise she deserves.

The Community Pride awards are run by The Press with City of York Council, and sponsored by Benenden Health.

Nominations can be made online by logging on to yorkpress.co.uk/pride.