A Darwen school is celebrating after one of their teachers won the Unsung Hero category in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Greg Smalley from Aurora Woodlands School also featured on The One Show last  Thursday night, something he described as a 'total surprise'. 

Presenter Alex Jones visited him at his school to announce the win and said: "I was a judge on the Unsung Hero awards this year and when I read how you use gardening to transform the lives of young people, it really struck a chord with me and so I want to say congratulations, you have won the National Teaching Awards Unsung Hero award."

Naturalist Chris Packham also sent Greg a message and said: “Greg I just wanted to say how tremendously impressed I am with the work that you've been doing.

"As someone who knows how valuable nature can be in people's lives, that was inspirational. Top work Greg!”

Greg won the award after being selected from thousands of nominees.

Principal Sarah Gregory said: “I'm so very proud of Greg's achievement - it was a pleasure to nominate him for the Pearson award and it's great for us all to be able to celebrate his success! Greg has such a positive impact on so many students through the work he does with them each and every day. 

“The way he's always ready to research and develop his own skills to find even more ways to support our students means he's a role model for the young people and colleagues alike. A lifelong learner, compassionate colleague and talented teacher - we're blessed this unsung hero is in our Aurora Woodlands family.”

Pupil Jax said: "Without you I wouldn't be anywhere right now I would just be struggling so thank you."

Noah said: "I love being taught by Greg because he helps us learn a lot."

And Oliver, another pupil said: "Ever since I've joined this school, he's changed me. I'm getting better at maths and English and I'm getting loads of qualifications on my CV.

Greg was selected from thousands of nomineesGreg said: “It was an unbelievable surprise. I never expected any of it. It was kept so secret!”

Greg joined Aurora Woodlands School in February 2022 as a member of the support staff. 

School pupils have been celebrating the win with GregGreg began by leading small groups to spend structured time in the wooded grounds, participating in activities as diverse as shelter building, foraging and nature photography.

He then cleared and cultivated an area of land, now called Highgrove, ensuring all staff and students were able to get involved and devised a diverse curriculum to spark interest and build self-esteem.

Greg also set up a ‘field to fork’ programme through a partnership he established between the school and the Darwen and Whitehall Community Garden.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards are organised by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity.  The awards aim to acknowledge the essential roles that teachers, support staff, and early years educators play in shaping the lives of young people.