NATALIE Gregory said teaching was the best possible job you could have when she accepted her award for Newcomer of the Year.

She works at Parkwood Primary in Keighley, and was nominated for the category by school head Richard Ballantine.

She was placed at the school through the Bradford Birth to 19 SCITT and is in her second year.

After taking the stage to collect her award she suggested people become teachers, saying: “Just go for it. It is an incredible, fun job.

“Working at the school means I have 30 new best friends.”

Asked how she felt after getting the award, she said: “I literally can’t even describe it. I never expected this. I don’t think I do anything special.

“The job is honestly the most rewarding thing ever.

“Sometimes it is small things. You might have a child who has real trouble sitting in class, and when they are able to do that and engage with a whole lesson it is massive for them.”

Asked what advice she would give new teachers who were struggling in the job, she said: “Just stick with it. It’s all worth it.

“I never see myself in a job other than being in the classroom.”

In his nomination, Mr Ballantine said: “She was a natural and made a real impact in our Early Years Foundation Stage. Natalie embodied our Parkwood values, building great relationships with children and families and enabling a great start for any child.

“Due to staff changes, Natalie was then moved to do her NQT year in Key Stage 2.

“This was a massive change and a challenge , however Natalie tackled this with her positive can-do attitude and before the year was out her teaching was good and outstanding.”

Honorary mentions:

Mohammed Wasim - St Oswald’s CofE Primary

Amy-Rose Bedford - Horton Grange Primary