A RAY of sunshine is how Paul Daly from St Vincent's Catholic Primary School has been described.

The 29-year-old may only have been at his school since September, but he has made a huge impact on both children and staff.

Nominations described how he has transformed his year five classroom following an unsettling time for the school, engaged children on their level and how they now look up to him as both a teacher and a friend.

Paul, who accepted the Primary School Teacher award in the Warrington Guardian Schools Awards sponsored by Eddie Stobart, said: “I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone at St Vincent’s and Mr Vernon for taking a chance on me.

“I started in September and he has given me the opportunity to show what I can do, and I can’t thank him enough for giving me the opportunity.

“I want to thank the children at St Vincent’s, every teacher in this room, every child in this room- you are the reason why we do this job.

“For the parents to say those things, it really means a lot.”

From mentoring each child to improve their standards and confidence to giving up his spare time to support their extra-curricular activities, Paul is said to inspire everyone to be the absolute best that they can be.

Parents said he is a breath of fresh air and the best teacher they have seen- the kind of teacher that pupils will look back on in years to come and say how much of a positive influence he was in their lives.

Phil Towey, last year’s winner, came highly commended for going above and beyond to ensure children’s emotional and educational welfare is put first.