A TEACHER at Westleigh High School, Leigh, has been short-listed for the North West's Young Teacher of the Year Award.

Michelle Dunning was nominated by the school where she teaches French.

If Michelle becomes a regional finalist she will win £500 for the school. If she goes on to win the region outright the school stands to benefit to the tune of £3000. Winners of the National finals will get £20,000 for their schools.

Michelle said: "I am very proud to be nominated by the school, and somewhat shocked and excited to be over the first hurdle in the competition."

Next week a team from the charity Teaching Awards Trust who organised the awards, will visit the school to meet Miss Dunning and some of her colleagues, to decide whether she will reach the regional finals in Manchester on May 14.

The awards, made for the first time this year, are sponsored by Lloyds TSB. They are made to new teachers who have been in the job for less than two years.

Even though Michelle is only in her second year of teaching she has made a big impressionat the school.

She has already been made second in charge of the languages faculty and has been involved in the school play, student counselling, as well as organising trips to France and helping with an exchange program.

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