TEENAGER Colin Cywinski thinks his teacher is top of the class.

And to show how much he thought of Gareth Oliver, deputy head of Rumworth Special School, 13-year-old Colin nominated him for this year's Teaching Awards North-west.

Mr Oliver has been shortlisted as the Special Needs Teacher of the Year in the North-west finals after judges were impressed with the nomination form and completed a thorough assessment.

Colin said: "Mr Oliver is just brilliant. When I heard that teacher Margaret Riley had been put forward last year, I said straight away I would nominate Mr Oliver for the award this year.

"Mr Oliver deserves to win because he's so friendly, and approachable. You can talk to him about personal issues and fun things."

Mr Oliver, aged 52, said: "I am quite humbled to have been nominated, especially by a pupil. It is a honour to be a finalist.

"You never think that you will be put forward for something like this."

The father of three, who lives in Bolton, has been deputy head at Rumworth School for five years. He looks after pupil welfare.

He said being chosen as a finalist was a testament to the whole school.

He said: "When I was nominated, the assessors spoke to a number of people at the school, including the pupils and governors. It was a very thorough assessment process.

"To have got this far is a reflection on this wonderful school."

Sixth-form pupil Zuber Patel, aged 18, is on the school council and he was questioned about Mr Oliver's nomination.

He said: "Mr Oliver makes the effort to get know all the pupils in the school. He talks to everyone.

"He is special because he is friendly, and even though he can be strict as well, pupils know it is for the right reasons."

Mr Oliver is among three shortlisted for the award.

The winner will be announced on June 19 in a ceremony hosted by BBC presenter Ranvir Singh.