THE best of the Bolton school community have been given a chance to shine.

Behind classroom doors are thousands of teachers, pupils and staff working hard every day to bring top class education to the community.

And here we honour the achievements of those people and places that make up all that’s good in the borough’s schools at the second Bolton News School Awards.

Secondary Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Bolton Council: Cassie Dainton

HARPER Green School’s Cassie Dainton embodies all that is great about teachers.

Mrs Dainton has won the admiration of the staff and pupils at the Farnworth school for always putting her pupils first no matter what.

For Mrs Dainton, who teaches art, had to deal with a bereavement and long-term illness in her family.

But wrote colleague Paul Holmes-Patel in support of her nomination: “Despite all this she continued to lead her department and put the students first.

“She didn’t have a single day off and continued to go over and above every day.”

She did not attend the awards as she was awaiting the birth of her second child, welcoming baby Amelia into the world on Thursday.

Picking the award on her behalf was assistant headteacher Mrs Holmes-Patel.

She said: “Cassie is an outstanding teacher. She is fabulous in the classroom and always allows a child to fulfil their potential.

“She had an extremely difficult year personally. She was acting head of drama and during that time a family member became very ill.

“She did months and months of night shifts at the hospital till the early hours whilst also looking after a toddler at home and then coming into school every morning. Later she also suffered a very close family bereavement. Despite all this Cassie didn’t have a single day off - she was determined that she wouldn’t let her students down that were preparing for their forthcoming GCSE exams. 

“Eventually after wondering why she was so exhausted she found out she was four months pregnant so some positive news at last!”