A TEACHER at a secondary school in St Austell has picked up a national accolade.

Elizabeth Allday, who works at Poltair School, has been given a certificate of excellence in the outstanding new teacher of the year category at the 2025 Pearson National Teaching Awards.

A spokesperson for the school said: “This prestigious award celebrates exceptional teachers across the UK who are making a real difference to students’ lives.

“Miss Allday’s certificate of excellence places her in the top tier of new teachers nationally, highlighting her creativity in the classroom, commitment to inclusive education and the lasting impact she is making on young people at Poltair School.

“Miss Allday joined Poltair School as an early career teacher (ECT) and took part in the Cornwall Education Learning Trust (CELT) ECT programme.

“From the outset, she has demonstrated a natural flair for teaching, building strong relationships with students, delivering engaging lessons and contributing positively to the wider school community.

“Her journey as an ECT has been marked by rapid growth, resilience and an unwavering focus on student well-being and achievement. Whether supporting students in the classroom, leading enrichment opportunities or bringing joy to daily school life, Miss Allday has quickly established herself as a role model to both staff and students.

“Everyone at Poltair School is delighted to celebrate this momentous achievement and looks forward to seeing Miss Allday continue to flourish in her career, inspiring students and colleagues alike.”

Headteacher Richard Cardigan said: “We are absolutely delighted that Miss Allday has been recognised in this way. She is an exceptional teacher who represents the very best of Poltair – energetic, passionate and relentlessly focused on the success of her students. From the moment she joined us, she has made an extraordinary contribution to our school community. This certificate of excellence is thoroughly deserved and we couldn’t be prouder.”