STARTING in the world of education is a daunting prospect, but these three candidates have shown you can hit the ground running from the very beginning.

The shortlist for this award included: Neill Coates from Beckfoot Priestthorpe, Joshua Blackham from Bradford Forster Academy and Chloe Wadby from Crossflatts Primary.

The winner of the award was Neill Coates, who describes teaching as "the greatest job in the world".

He expressed his surprise at being announced as the winner and explained being nominated for an award was something that never crossed his mind when he got into the industry.

Mr Coates worked in a totally different field for roughly 20 years, before turning his hand to education around two years ago.

He got involved with the Beckfoot School Direct Partnership and studied for his PGCE at Leeds Trinity University.

Mr Coates has been teaching at Beckfoot Priestthorpe for six months and admits the coronavirus pandemic has not tempered his appetite for it.

He said: "I still jump out of bed every morning, still love the job, even with all the restrictions and everything that's different.

"It's still the greatest job in the world and I'd rather be doing nothing else."

In his old job, it would get to Sunday and he would dread the next day, but now he gets into bed excited for what is to come.

Mr Coates said his favourite part of teaching is having a bond with a group of children.

He added: "I know it sounds corny, but that magical moment when they get something."

The teacher also feels his experience outside of the classroom has helped him become a more well-rounded professional.

He said: "I've not just been a teacher, I've got lots of different life experiences, and I think it shows the way I am with people and the way I am with kids."

Read our other in-depth interviews with each winner below:

Or take a look at how the overall event went here...