We celebrate everything that is first class about education in Bolton.

We had a record number of nominations for this year's The Bolton News Education Awards.

Given how high the standard was, we have awarded a number of highly commended accolades too.

Congratulations to all the winners.

We start with the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Bolton Council, which went to Elizabeth Edmondson of Moorgate Primary School.

This award is for a member of the school community who has shown a commitment to the sector over many years.

Mrs Edmondson was nominated for the award by fellow staff member at Moorgate, Rebecca Tattersall.

In the nomination, she said of Mrs Edmondson: “Elizabeth, better known as Mrs Edmondson, started her career at Moorgate over 22 years ago when she was given a job for 6 weeks and never left.

“She has been a vital part of our Moorgate Family for all these years and carries out her job with the utmost professionalism and diligence every single day.

“A huge part of her work has been supporting families facing challenging times. She has worked with families at high risk and has always ensured that the child’s needs and best interests were kept at the heart of everything.

“On a personal note, Elizabeth is one of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever had the opportunity to work with.”

On winning the award, Mrs Edmondson said: “I’m still waiting for it to sink in really, my first reaction is I feel really proud that people think highly of me, and it is quite overwhelming.

“I’ve worked here a long time and my idea all the time is where I just come and I do the best that I can, and I’ve taken the opportunities that the school has given me, because I came as a TA for six weeks and they kept extending my contract.

“I’ve been doing safeguarding, this is my fifth year. I enjoy it, there are lots of ups and downs to it, but in safeguarding you can actually see the impact of what you’re doing.

“I am really pleased, but really, really surprised.”

She added: “I like coming into work, I like working with the children, I like working in education because it’s so fast moving – you can’t be bored, because things change and you keep up with it.”

Our congratulations also go to Jackie Fitton, headteacher of Kearsley West Primary and Nursery School, who has been Highly Commended for the Lifetime Achievement Award.