AN INSPIRATIONAL primary school teacher was crowned a winner in the second Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.

Lorraine Dalton, Ysgol Esgob Morgan church in Wales school in St Asaph, has been named as Teacher of the Year.

Lorraine started her career at the school 20 years ago. She was nominated for her hard work and dedication to give pupils the "best possible" learning opportunities.

The awards honour the achievements of teachers up and down the country who are championing success in education, and demonstrating the utmost dedication and commitment in the process.

Lorraine said: "I’m so surprised, it’s a lovely feeling. It makes everything you do worthwhile. I kept saying when I was shortlisted that it is just a job, but thinking about it, it’s more than a job, it’s a way of life.

"Every teacher will agree that you never switch off, because you want to do the very best you can for the year the pupils are in your class. I can honestly say the children are at the heart of what I do and every member of the team at Ysgol Esgob Morgan makes pupils their priority. This is for them."

Tim Redgrave, headteacher of Ysgol Esgob Morgan, added: “I am a proud headteacher.

"Lorraine is everything that I expect in a teacher. She is warm, compassionate, dedicated and her unwavering commitment to the school is to be applauded. To reach the finals of a national competition is an achievement in itself, but to actually be crowned Teacher of the Year is amazing.

"It’s well deserved."

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, cabinet lead member for children, young people, education and the Welsh Language, said: “Huge congratulations to Lorraine on her success.

"We were delighted to hear the news and I’m sure the whole school community at Ysgol Esgob Morgan are still celebrating the news."