A teacher described as a “superstar” for his pupils both in and out of school hours has been nominated for primary school teacher of the year in the Telegraph & Argus Schools Awards.

Daniel Cassidy is year four teacher and PE co-ordinator at Fearnville Primary School in Fearnville Drive, Bradford, and has been praised for both his dedication to his job and his out-of- hours charity work.

Not only does he organise football tournaments between Fearnville and other local schools as part of his responsibility for after-school clubs, but Mr Cassidy is also a trustee of a charity working to tackle poverty in Africa.

He has been praised for getting both pupils and parents more involved in extra curricular activities.

He was nominated by Joanne Gray, who said: “Mr Cassidy is a fantastic teacher. He does so much for the children and staff in and out of Fearnville.

“He organises football tournaments within the school and against other schools, often on Saturdays. He also raises money for a charity in Africa called Eating Stones.

“He has often got something going on at the weekends regarding football and marathons. He has recently run the Yorkshire marathon and he’s also done the London marathon a number of times.

“He never moans or complains about anything, his work load, his family, he is always smiling and laughing and is just a lovely bloke to know and work with. All the children, staff and parents think he is a superstar.”

His work with the charity has rubbed off on his pupils – last Christmas they wrote letters to an orphanage in Nairobi as part of a class project.

Mr Cassidy, who has been teaching at the school for three years, said: “We’ve done all sorts since we got back in September. We’ve been to Bradford Park Avenue and Farsley to play matches in the past few weeks.

“It makes things easier in school if you have that carrot to dangle in front of the children. If they know they get to play football on Saturday they have that incentive to do well in school. I’ll use anything that helps to get through to the children.

It’s nice to see the parents get involved too and come out on the Saturday.”

Mr Cassidy said he also uses the extra curricular activities in lessons, with his pupils recently writing thank you letters to the clubs that have hosted their matches.

He added: “I’m more than happy to be nominated.”

Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year

This category is to celebrate outstanding achievement or dedication of individual nursery/primary teachers who inspire and engage pupils and make an exceptional contribution to the life of their school or nursery.

When young children set out on the path of education it is often the first time they are away from parental control.

The nursery or primary school teacher sets them off on the route of learning.

In later years in primary education, teachers must excite, delight, inspire and instil. Children are finding their feet, both academically and socially, and it is a huge responsibility for the primary school teacher to ensure they do so properly.

Who are these heroes and heroines of nursery and primary schools? Which teachers make learning special and give those impressionable young faces the very best start in education? What have they done that is so brilliant?

Tell us their stories and give us details about who they are. an old We want to know who you think should win this accolade.

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