A PENARTH school business manager has been shortlisted for a national award celebrating inspiration within the education sector.

Susan Esseen, who works for Evenlode Primary School in the Vale has been selected as one of three finalists at the New Directions Education Inspirational Teaching Awards.

Speaking about her nomination, Steve Rees, headteacher for Evenlode said: "I have known Sue for six years. She is a fantastic business manager who always acts in the best interest of the school.

"She is incredibly hard working and nothing is ever too much.

"She maintains steady in the face of all adversity and is truly the face of Evenlode."

The Inspirational Teaching Awards were set up to honour staff within the education sector who go above and beyond for their community.

In 2014 the ceremony was attended by more than 250 delegates, and hosted by Phil Steele, broadcaster and former school teacher.

Speaking about the shortlisting process, Gary Williams, director of business development for New Directions said: "In 2014 we had a standard of entries that I would have thought impossible to improve upon.

"I am happy to be wrong. Colleagues, parents and pupils from across the country have come together to talk about, and celebrate exceptional staff from within their schools and colleges."

The awards had more than 150 nominations from primary, secondary, additional learning needs and further education establishments from all over the country.

This year’s award event will take place on Friday, June 19, at the Cardiff Mercure Holland House Hotel.

The evening will be hosted by broadcaster, comedian and one-time teacher at Barry Comprehensive School – Chris Corcoran.

Guests will enjoy a three-course meal and have the company of colleagues and professionals from across a breadth of organisations.

Inspirational Teaching Awards shortlist: Ancillary Staff Member Rhys Williams, Enrolment Officer, Coleg Gwent; Angela Wharton, personal assistant to headteacher, St Joseph's Catholic & Anglican High School, Wrexham; Susan Esseen, Evenlode Primary School; Classroom assistant Lindsey Roberts, LSA, Our Lady’s RC Primary School; Janet Coombes, SEN Teaching Assistant, Tywyn Primary School; Kerry Hutchinson, Learning Support Assistant, Bryn Celyn Primary School; FE Lecturer Kim Purnell, Business Lecturer, Coleg Y Cymoedd; Jo Bradshaw, Welding Lecturer, Pembrokeshire College; Wilma Gaywood, Mechanics Lecturer, Coleg Gwent; Primary Headteacher Colin Skinner, Roath Primary School; Susan Wilson, Milton Infant School; Elizabeth Keys, Bryn Celyn Primary School; Primary Teacher Claire Thomas, Teacher, Birchgrove Primary School; Rebecca Porter, Year 2 Teacher, Bryn Celyn Primary School, Cardiff; Elen Peate, Teacher, Grangetown Nursery School, Cardiff; Secondary Headteacher Mr Stephen Jones, Headteacher, Cardiff High School, Cardiff; Dr Susan Mitchell, Headteacher, St John the Baptist Church-in-Wales School, Aberdare ; Mr Rod Phillips, Headteacher, Cathays High School, Cathays; Secondary Teacher Lauren Mackie, Head of English, Bishop Hedley High School, Merthyr Tydfil; Dominic Gubb, Head of Year/Art Teacher, Afon Taf High School, Merthyr Tydfil; Mary Egan, Head of Mathematics, Radyr Comprehensive, Radyr; SEN Headteacher Kevin Tansley, Ty Gwyn School, Cardiff; Helen Ridout, Ysgol Bryn Castell, Bridgend; Maxine Pittaway, St Christopher’s School, Wrexham; SEN Teacher Nicola Brinning, Grangetown Nursery School, Cardiff; Leah Parry, Ferndale Community School, Maerdy; Sarah Howell Jones, Cwmcarn High School, Cwmcarn; Supply Classroom Assistant Elizabeth Moreman, LSA Susannah Ellis, Teaching Assistant Donna Diffey, Learning Support Assistant Supply Teacher Vicki Wallwin; Sarah Watkins. Rhiannon Cruchley-Jones