VETERAN PE teacher Sue Roberts said she was “overwhelmed” after being named the Nursery/Primary Teacher of the Year.

Mrs Roberts, who has taught physical education for almost 35 years and spent the last 18 years at Haworth Primary School, was praised for encouraging young people to be active and involved in sport, and has helped generations of children lead healthier lifestyles.

She is retiring at the end of this year, but still plans to keep involved in exercise for young people in the area.

Mrs Roberts, after collecting her prize, said: “I never expected to win!

“I was so excited when I was nominated and it’s a lovely end to my teaching career.

“It’s one of the biggest highlights of my career, but in teaching every day you get a little highlight, whether it’s a child saying how good a lesson has been, or seeing how excited they are in the corridors to do PE.

“Also meeting ex-pupils, I see a lot of them as I do a lot of fell running and meet them taking part in races.

“Some of them are absolutely amazing and are world class runners, who were in my cross country class at school and have gone on to do so well.

“My favourite thing about teaching over the years has to be the way the children react to you, and the fact they can sit there absolutely captivated, learn new skills, progress quickly and are enthusiastic, they are just so much fun to work with.”

Mrs Roberts was praised for being a “devoted” teacher who has had an “outstanding impact” on her pupils over the past four decades.

She has also transformed Haworth Primary into a Centre for Excellence for sport, set up countless sports and activity clubs for pupils, and has also helped train the next generation of PE teachers.

Highly commended on the night were Thornbury Primary Leadership Academy’s Arnold Raistrick, and Lucy Balmforth from Horton Grange Academy.