A teacher who makes children feel "safe" at school has won an award. 

Lauren Temple of Kearsley Academy is our Teacher of the Year, in association with Bolton Council. 

Mrs Temple, who is now the assistant principal, has been at the school for six years and in that time has "transformed" its humanities department while making children feel "safe" at school. 

One nomination, written by a Year 8 pupil, said: "Mrs Temple, you are my favourite teacher because you are kind and always ask me how I am feeling, you always listen to me when I talk to you.

"Thank you for sorting lots of things to help me I really appreciate it. When I have a problem I know I can talk to you, you make me feel safe at school. You are always happy, calm, and caring." 

A mother of a pupil at the school said: "My son has additional needs and has undergone major surgery. She has worked tirelessly to ensure his needs are met.

"She has worked with other services and put things in place so that he can work independently and achieve his potential. She has gone above and beyond to support his well-being." 

Read more: Kearsley Academy pupils best ever results, with one set to be footballer

Read more: Almost 20 years of stellar service for this deputy head

Andrew Newton, principal at the school, said: "Lauren has been an instrumental member of Kearsley Academy for 6 years. 

"This has included starting as a geography teacher, moving to the role of the director of geography across the trust and now in her current role of assistant principal and our special education needs coordinator. 

"Lauren has transformed the humanities department at Kearsley Academy." 

He added: "In 2019, before Lauren was in post, 0 per cent of students achieved a qualification in a humanities subject and a language and the school's progress 8 was -1.09. These results made Kearsley Academy the worst performing school in Bolton and one of the worst performing schools in the North West. 

"In comparison, due largely to the work of Lauren, the school achieved outstanding results this year, with over 42 per cent of students entering the English baccalaureate. This is significantly above the national and Bolton averages." 

Lauren said: "It's very exciting, very overwhelming. I wasn't expecting it at all but feel very honoured to be given this award. 

"I was teaching a lesson and wasn't expecting it, it was only when certain things were being said about students with special educational needs, which I lead on, that the penny started to drop."