BEING a primary or nursery school teacher means inspiring and encouraging those youngsters who are taking their first steps in the world.

The shortlist for this award included: Maryam Aslam and Emma Chapman from Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy, Lisa Boothroyd from Worth Valley Primary and Rebecca Petrie from Crossflatts Primary.

The winner of the award was Rebecca Petrie, who has 15 years of experience as a school teacher and says the whole thing just gives her a "general buzz".

Mrs Petrie, who has spent 14 of her 15 years teaching at Crossflatts, said it felt amazing to win the award.

She added: “Honestly, this is the best job I’ve ever had, I could not do anything else. This is the best job in the world.

“I’m so honoured to do it and I’m so privileged to do a job I love every single day. I am absolutely so so proud.”

The primary teacher has been commended for spotting a gap in curriculum, after having a number of pupils in her class who had a visual impairment.

She said these pupils were not getting access to the best opportunities and so took action.

Mrs Petrie added: "I saw and thought, actually every child should get the same thing.

“So I just unpicked it and thought I’m going to make this just as accessible.

“It shouldn’t be a different way, it should be the same way, but they can access it in the same way rather than making everything different.

“They actually could achieve the same quite easily. Every child in my class gets that chance."

The teacher said the difference she can make is what gets her up every morning.

She added:"I love the people that I work with and I love the children, the parents.

"The whole thing just gives me a general buzz.

"I absolutely love this job and I would not do any other job in the world."

If there was one other thing Mrs Petrie would consider, it would be working in a hospital, to help others.

Read our other in-depth interviews with each winner below:

Or take a look at how the overall event went here...