AN AWARD winning Wolverley teacher celebrated being named teacher of the year by reuniting with her “inspiration”.

Kerry Poole, PSRE subject leader at Wolverley CE Secondary School, received a surprise visit from Caroline Hoddinott, her former English teacher at Haybridge High School, where Caroline is now headteacher.

Recently named as Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the national Pearson Teaching Awards, Kerry spoke in her acceptance speech about how Caroline’s teaching had left an extremely positive mark on her and inspired her to go on to become a teacher.

Kerry said: “It was amazing to see Caroline again after such a long time. I did not expect it.

“I was part of an all girls group that she taught and she helped the girls make great progress – we all loved her.

“She was a brilliant teacher – she was consistent with her approach to teaching and had very high expectations for pupils.

“She wanted them all to do well and in return the pupils wanted to do well to please her. These are some of the qualities I have tried to incorporate into my own teaching.”

More than 20,000 teachers from across the country were nominated for a Pearson teaching award this year, and Kerry was the only Midlands based teacher to receive one.

Bryn Thomas, headteacher, said: “Kerry has been an inspiration to many of our students and we are delighted to welcome Caroline to the school to surprise Kerry.”