A ‘DEDICATED and enthusiastic’ teacher from a school in Bournemouth made the finals of a national competition.

Janet Proehl, who teaches maths at Pokesdown Community Primary School, has been listed as a runner up in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards, which saw just eight runners-up named from more than 2,000 people nominated for the accolade.

Sue Wood, media leader at the school on Livingstone Road, said: “This award has come about because of Mrs Proehl’s outstanding contribution to education with her dedication and enthusiasm for teaching mathematics.”

She added: “Mrs Proehl is unique in her approach to engage children in learning and has supported our school for over 20 years. She is admired, respected and loved by all members of our school community. Her subject knowledge in maths is outstanding and she plans exciting and innovative topics which inspire children to reach beyond all expectations.”

Sue said that Janet’s love of the subject of maths was evident and that it was this passion that had enriched the learning of the students over the years, which had influenced and encouraged the young people greatly.

“She encourages them to reach for the stars and nurtures their development into aspirational learners,” she said. “In the Ofsted inspection last year, the lead inspector was so overwhelmed and said that in his career he had never met such an excellent maths teacher. Mrs Proehl is irreplaceable. We’re all proud of her.”