AS THE Standard celebrated those who make our educational community so special, we honoured our Secondary School Teacher of the Year.

Part of our second annual Education Awards, this category recognises the hard work of those in our fantastic secondary schools.

Cheshire West has some of the finest secondary schools, with dedicated individuals who work incredibly hard to ensure that our children perform at their best during this crucial period of their educational journey.

Broadcaster and journalist Lucy Meacock joined us for the ceremony at Hilton’s DoubleTree Hotel in Chester on Friday, July 12, as we congratulated our finalists:

  • Lauren Greatbanks, Tarporley High School
  • Nicola Ramage, Helsby High School
  • Diane Holmes, The Catholic High School

Our winner of the Secondary School Teacher of the Year was maths teacher Diane Holmes of The Catholic High School.

This year’s award was presented by iAM Compliant’s Jodie Forshaw.

Speaking to Lucy Meacock, Diane said: “It feels unbelievable. I work in a school that is incredible and I don’t know what I’ve done that is [worth] more than other people who work there."

Despite being an excellent teacher, Diane's journey into teaching was not a easy one.

On deciding to teach maths, Diane said: “Honestly, I chose my subject because I was told that I was no good.

"So, I picked the hardest subject that I could think of."

Diane studied via the Open University and taught herself over six years, later becoming a qualified teacher.

“My children were both young, my husband just thought I was mad,” she laughed.