A TEACHER at St Francis Catholic Primary School has been announced as a finalist in the second Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.

Sarah Mansfield has been nominated for the Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language award at the second annual award ceremony.

Monkton Priory Community Primary School has also been shortlisted this year, for the Promoting wellbeing, inclusion and relationships with the community award.

The awards were created to celebrate the commitment, dedication and hard work of education professionals across Wales.

Nominations were received from parents, students, colleagues and employers.

The winners from each of the nine categories will be announced and presented at a special ceremony at Hensol Castle in May.

Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said: “Our national mission is to raise standards, reduce the attainment gap and deliver an education system that is a source of national pride and confidence.

“That’s why it’s so important that we recognise the excellence we see in our schools every day, right across the country.

“The calibre of nominations we had this year for the Professional Teaching Awards Cymru was absolutely phenomenal.

“The finalists are a credit to the profession. They should all be exceptionally proud of themselves and I am very much looking forward to meeting them all in May to celebrate their hard work.”