YEAR six teacher Jason Bilinkewycz thought he would become a firefighter or join the police force — becoming a teacher had not really occurred to him.

Now the talented teacher is up for an “Oscar” of the teaching world.

Ben Tipton, also a Year Six teacher, had wanted to be a teacher but did not pursue it until he was encouraged by his family to achieve his ambition.

He too is up for one of the top awards.

And not only are the two Bolton teachers attending the glittering 2012 Pearson Teaching Awards in October — but both are based at Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Westhoughton.

They were both nominated by their headteacher, Martin Johnson, and had to win Teacher of the Year in the North to qualify for the finals, which will be televised by the BBC.

Mr Tipton, aged 32, won the award for outstanding use of technology in education in the North.

He came into teaching after going back to university to retrain.

“I had always wanted to be a teacher, and after encouragement from my then girlfriend and now wife, I went Edge Hill to do a PGCE.

“I really enjoy the job — every day is different.”

Mr Tipton made his mark on the school with his IT know-how, where he transported young people back to historical events with the use of a green screen, to creating an award-winning learning platform, allowing young people to carry on learning at home.

Judges said: “Their learning has become exciting due to Ben’s enthusiasm for using his technological expertise to enhance learning for all.”

Mr Bilinkewycz, aged 24, won the award for outstanding new teacher of the year in the North.

He admitted that his former secondary school teachers were quite surprised to realise he had gone into teaching.

“I didn’t consider teaching as a career but when I was at college I went back to Greenhill Primary School, which I attended, and helped with a Year One class.

“That was it, I really enjoyed it. I went to Chester University and did a BEd,” he said.

Mr Bilinkewycz said he was the “wild card interviewee” when he applied to teach at Sacred Heart.

But his innovative ideas about using the great outdoors to inspire and teach children have paid off, leading judges to state: “It is hard to believe that Jason is only in his second year of teaching.

“His passion, commitment, and enthusiasm for high quality education for all his pupils can be seen in every corridor, outdoor space and learning environment in the wonderful school where he works.”

Mr Bilinkewycz led a project to create an outdoor classroom, which features a garden, a living willow, a Viking longboat, allotments and a pond complete with fish and a pond camera.

Asked if they are going to win in October, Mr Bilinkewycz laughed: “We are not going there to lose.”