AN “INSPIRATIONAL” languages teacher from a Wirral school has scooped a national award.

Students and staff of Ridgeway High School in Moreton are celebrating the announcement that languages teacher Kate Hytner has been recognised with a Silver Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Kate, described as an “outstanding classroom teacher” has been a subject leader at the school for more than 25 years helping Rideway to achieve the best progress results for French and Spanish in the region.

Kate supports community language entries such as Polish, Russian, and mandarin. She is also a senior examiner for GCSE Spanish.

Kate has helped to lead Ridgeway's instructional coaching programme and has helped the school gain national recognition as a Steplab coaching hub, providing training to schools across the North of England.

Gavin Sterry, headteacher of Ridgeway High School, said:  "Kate is motivated by the conviction that every student, no matter their background, can flourish by learning a language.

"She is an outstanding classroom practitioner, with the ability to create an inspirational learning environment through memorable lessons that ooze a passion for languages. That's why students love being in her class.

"I am sure that I speak for the whole Ridgeway community – teachers, governors and students and their families – in saying congratulations and the best of luck to Kate as we look forward to the Gold Award announcement in November."

Kate is now in the running for a coveted Gold Award. Gold Award winners will be announced at a awards ceremony in London and on the BBC's The One Show in November.