A "SMASHING" teacher and a hard-working head have been nominated for a prize in the York Community Pride Awards.

John Green and Lesley Barringer have been put forward for the Teacher Of The Year award in the scheme, run by The Press and City of York Council.

Mr Green, 40, of Bishopthorpe, York, is a Year 5 teacher at Archbishop of York's Junior School, in Bishopthorpe, and was nominated by pupil Emily King, ten.

Emily, of Montague Road, Bishopthorpe, wrote of Mr Green: "He makes learning good fun, and really gives us all a reason to enjoy school."

She said he plays jokes with the class, has special names for the pupils, encourages everyone to take part in sports day, and helps organise many other activities at the school.

She said: "Everyone really likes Mr Green, and I think he is smashing. He makes everything like a game so it is really enjoyable to learn.

"When he reads a story he can change his voice and often will read the words before a noisy word like 'bang' very quietly and then the 'bang' comes as a shock and really gets our attention.

"He is a favourite with all the school and I am glad he is my teacher."

On his nomination, Mr Green said: "It's exciting and I'm very pleased, but also slightly taken aback."

He also praised his pupils, saying: "They are a lovely class and a nice group, and Bishopthorpe is a nice place to teach. I am very lucky to teach in such a nice area and such a nice school."

Osbaldwick Primary School head teacher Lesley Barringer has also been nominated.

Her nominator was Sylvia Varley, of Lyndale Avenue, who has had three children and four grandchildren at the school.

Mrs Varley wrote: "Since coming to Osbaldwick Primary, she has made it into a first-class school. Having been associated with this school since it was built 40 years ago, I think she has been the best head yet."

Mrs Varley praised Ms Barringer for a number of reasons, including her work in providing good facilities for children, top-quality staff, and a good school uniform, and also for taking school security and pupil safety seriously.

Ms Barringer, 43, who lives between York and Selby, said she was "overwhelmed" to be nominated. She said: "I'm very proud. It's an honour."

Ms Barringer has been head at the school since September, 2001, when she moved from Derbyshire.

She said: "I'm passionate about my job. There are ups and downs, but I love dealing with children and parents and all their successes and problems."

Updated: 10:25 Wednesday, May 24, 2006