SHORTLIST: Newcomer of the Year

TALIB HUSSAIN - OASIS ACADEMY LISTER PARK

Talib Hussain joined the art department at Oasis Academy Lister Park as a newly qualified teacher. His nomination reads: "He blew us away with his talent from day one. His commitment to working with young people was evident from his interview; his art work was inspirational and his observed lesson graded 'outstanding' - we had to have him!

"Talib was born and raised in Keighley. He developed his love of art at Greenhead High School and then at Holy Family Catholic College. After GCSE and A-Level he completed a Foundation Diploma in Three Dimensional Design. He then pursued his teaching career at Durham Secondary Applied SCITT."

Talib himself says: "I strive to be the person that my art teachers were for me, an inspiration and a constant source of creative knowledge. I want to inspire the students and give them the confidence to pursue careers within the creative industry. I want to help the young people of Bradford realise their full potential in art and design."

His nomination adds: "Talib is a perfect gentleman. He dresses like a city gent but with a twist - always immaculately dressed but with a dash of colourful print, a kufi cap and long hair. Our students love him - he has made art cool!"

EMMA ROBINSON - PEEL PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

Emma Robinson is a teacher at Peel Park Primary School in Bradford.

Headteacher Lloyd-Mason Edwards said: "Emma came to us as an NQT. She has a completely natural flair for teaching and the children and parents love her to bits.

"The children in her class make superb progress and her lessons are imaginative and engaging. She is a credit to our school, but and more importantly, to the teaching profession."

He said that Miss Robinson embodies the ethos of Peel Park: "Our emphasis on academic success is matched by our commitment to developing high artistic standards, physical prowess and an understanding that emotional well-being can be fostered through enriching, positive opportunities to collaborate, support and compete.

"Excellence is achieved through the delivery of an inclusive curriculum, taught in a modern, well-resourced and stimulating environment by passionate, gifted and highly committed teachers and staff.

"A tour of our school reveals confident, enthusiastic young people who are willing to learn and enjoy new challenges. They question, experiment and persevere as they engage with and apply new knowledge, skills and understanding.

"Their respect and encouragement for each other is derived from the safety of knowing each and every person is valued, diversity is embraced and personalised approaches ensure individual needs are addressed."

SARAH BRETTON - DIXONS ALLERTON ACADEMY

Sarah Bretton is a new teacher at Dixons Allerton Academy. Her nominations say: "Miss Bretton came to Dixons this year as her first post as a qualified teacher and not only has Miss Bretton settled so comfortably into her new role she has excelled and exceeded our hopes for our children's Year 1 teacher.

"She is genuinely kind and caring and all the children have taken to her warm and motivating personality enabling her to continue our children's speedy progression through Year 1.

"I really hope that Miss Bretton can recieve some acknowledgment for her fantastic first year as a primary school teacher! Well done Miss Bretton and a huge thank you for all your hard work!"

And: "In short, Miss Bretton is a credit to Dixons Allerton Academy.

"With her warming manner and genuine interest in her pupils, Miss Bretton has become very popular within the classroom and among parents. She educates, encourages and engages her children. Miss Bretton adopts a true maternal disposition and offers heartfelt reassurance to my son when he suffers separation anxiety in the mornings.

"Miss Bretton is a fantastic teacher who is working hard to ensure every child in her class reaches their potential. Well done to a successful first term Miss Bretton!"

The new Bradford College campus, The David Hockney Building, opened its doors to students this September.

The campus, named after famous Bradford College alumnus and internationally acclaimed artist, David Hockney, has been tailor-made for interactive and innovative ways of learning, giving the students at Bradford College the very best chance of success, with the very best of facilities.

The eco-friendly campus is sympathetic to the large-scale mill and warehouse buildings that characterise parts of Bradford.

It includes open plan spaces with natural light and views across Bradford; flexible classroom space, designed to expand or retract according to requirements; a large cutting edge lecture theatre, conference facility and open plan space with retractable walls; limitless Wi-Fi enabled learning areas and informal learning spaces; state-of-the-art hair and beauty facilities, commercial shop front facilities for hair and beauty salons, a restaurant and café; innovative science labs and a roof top garden featuring flagged, planted and bio-diverse areas.

The College estate has been transformed to enhance the learning and teaching experience, with a number of new state-of-the-art buildings.

These include the development of the Trinity Green Campus in 2008, The David Hockney Building in September 2014 and the new Advanced Technologies Centre in September 2015.

The new campuses will continue the College's ongoing commitment to positively contribute to the regeneration of Bradford, its people and its industries.