DO you know a top teacher who always goes the extra mile for their pupils?

An educational recruitment agency is encouraging people to nominate hardworking teachers for the York Community Pride Awards.

Work With Schools, which is based in York, is sponsoring two categories in this year’s prizegiving - School of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

The Teacher of the Year Prize aims to honour the hardworking individuals in schools across the city.

Ellis Campbell, educational recruitment consultant at Work With Schools, said: “Work with Schools are delighted to continue to support local schools and teachers with the Community Pride Awards.

“Having worked as a teacher in York before joining the Work With Schools team, I know only too well how hard teachers work and the effort they make to go the extra mile.

“The Teacher of the Year award is a wonderful way to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary commitment of our York teachers who make a positive impact on the lives of local children.”

The prize celebrates those who truly inspire their pupils through their enthusiasm and commitment.

Last year’s winner was Matt Oxley, from Badger Hill Primary School.

He was praised by parents for going beyond his duties as a teacher and for how much he cared about pupils and their learning.

One parent described him as an “amazing teacher”, adding “he has inspired not just my son but his whole class”.

Accepting the prize at last year’s Community Pride Awards, Matt said: “There are lots of teachers at the school who do the same thing [as me].”

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden.

All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area.

Three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.

Entries can be posted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Or submit your nomination online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride and the closing date for entries is July 27.

Nominations must include a supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4 and may include a photograph, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.