A Deal teacher was overjoyed to be told she’d won an industry gong on national television.

Kirsty Gaythwaite of Goodwin Academy found out during a live broadcast of BBC’s The One Show last night in an episode hosted by Ex Boy Zone singer Ronan Keating and regular presenter Alex Jones.

Through her hard work and determination she picked up a Gold for Outstanding New Teacher in the Pearson National Teaching Awards having already won a silver in October.

Alex Jones said: “Kirsty Gaythwaite initially joined the Goodwin Academy in Kent as a support learning assistant to help vulnerable pupils but was quickly identified as having a talent for teaching maths.

“Her head teacher Mr Smith says: ‘We are so proud of you and your achievements on behalf of the whole school I thank you for the inspiration and creativity that you bring every day’.”

Mr Keating added: “How lovely is that? Next up for Kirsty is a new project teaching maths for parents and adults in her local community so well done Kirsty, good on ya.”

Today she told Kentonline: “It’s amazing to win an award for simply doing what you love…”

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