A Deal teacher was overjoyed to be told she'd won an industry gong on national television.

Kirsty Gaythwaite of Goodwin Academy found out during a live broadcast of BBC's The One Show last night in an episode hosted by Ex Boy Zone singer Ronan Keating and regular presenter Alex Jones.

Through her hard work and determination she picked up a Gold for Outstanding New Teacher in the Pearson National Teaching Awards having already won a silver in October.

Alex Jones said: "Kirsty Gaythwaite initially joined the Goodwin Academy in Kent as a support learning assistant to help vulnerable pupils but was quickly identified as having a talent for teaching maths.

"Her head teacher Mr Smith says: 'We are so proud of you and your achievements on behalf of the whole school I thank you for the inspiration and creativity that you bring every day'."

Mr Keating added: "How lovely is that? Next up for Kirsty is a new project teaching maths for parents and adults in her local community so well done Kirsty, good on ya."

Today she told Kentonline: "It’s amazing to win an award for simply doing what you love..."

In October we reported how a surprise tea party was laid on for the teacher who was being celebrated for for her commitment to changing the lives of the children she works with when she won the silver in the same awards category.

After joining as a teaching assistant, Ms Gaythwaite continued to work at the school while studying in evenings and weekends for her diploma in education, and since qualifying as a teacher has continued to put in an immense amount of work to ensure her students succeed.

Her tactics include organising lunchtime revision sessions, after-school interventions, Easter and May holiday sessions and constant communication with parents, all to make sure her Year 11 students have the best possible chance when it comes to their exams.

Speaking in a Department for Education video earlier in the week, she said: "Now do you know what? Every teacher in my eyes is a classroom hero. It is just amazing to heve been nominated let alone win a silver and to win a gold would be fabulous.

"But whoever wins will deserve it now more than ever because teachers all over the country, all over the world, are working so much harder than they normally do to make sure the students receive the best education possible and trying to keep everybody safe."

To view the episode, which aired on Thursday, November 26, click here.

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

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