New teacher, Saima Mahmood, has been named as the 2018 PK Education North West Supply Teacher of the Year.

Saima from Rochdale was nominated for the award by fellow teachers, schools she has worked in and consultants at PK Education.

She was one of three supply teachers shortlisted for the coveted award in the North West and won the overall title after a landslide online vote which saw her receive 58% of the votes for the North West area.

Saima said,"Winning the award was a lovely boost after having just finished my PGCE course. It's nice to receive this recognition. I'm naturally quite a shy person so this blew me away. It’s a lovely way to round off the end of the school year."

The annual awards are organised by education recruitment specialist PK Education and are designed to recognise and reward the vital role supply teachers play in UK schools every day.

Although a newly qualified teacher, Saima has worked in education for 15 years. Supply teaching was an opportunity for Saima to juggle her first crucial year of teaching with a hectic family life.

She added, “I only recently finished my PGCE course. Being able to complete that, whilst working and knowing I still had an income, as well as juggling a hectic family life, has been incredible. The flexibility that supply teaching offers has made my life so much easier.”

Now in their fourth year, the annual PK Supply Teacher of the Year Awards recognise teachers from across six regions – the North East, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Midland, West Midlands and the North West.

Lee Carpenter, Director of PK Education, said,“Dedicated supply teachers, such as Saima, are playing an increasing role in education as demand for supply is increasing.

“Although supply teaching offers many rewards it is not without its challenges. Often, supply teachers are walking into an unfamiliar school with students they’ve never met with little to no prep time. Yet they take it all in their stride, and teach with passion and professionalism to ensure every child can continue their education, regardless of what situation schools find themselves in.

“These awards are a small way of publicly recognising the UK’s many supply teachers for all their hard work and effort.”