Head is shortlisted for teaching 'Oscar'

Nomination 'reflects the school as a whole'

The Headteacher of the second highest performing state school

in Bolton is in running for a teaching "Oscar"

Mr Roach, of Mount St Joseph Business & Enterprise College in Farnworth

is a finalist in the Pearson Teaching Awards.

Mr Roach said : "It came as a complete surprise and was obviously
a real honour to be shortlisted as a finalist in the headteacher of the year
award category.  I have been fortunate to work with many outstanding
headteachers and colleagues within the local area who have been a source of
inspiration to me. It is a privilege to be the headteacher of a school with
such a vibrant, inclusive and inspirational community.

Under Mr Roach's leadership, the school, in Farnworth, achieved record GCSE

results last summer, with 71 per cent of children achieving the grade.

Mr Roach said to be shortlisted was a reflection of the whole

school community and their commitment to ensuring the highest

standards of education for all the students. It is only possible to

be a finalist in such a prestigious award if the students,

staff, parents and governors are meticulously and diligently working towards a

common ethos and expectation that everyone will be successful.

The staff and students have high expectations of each other and

by working together they created the outstanding ethos identified

by OfSTED that led to the school becoming one of the highest

performing schools in the country.

Based on the school ethos of being a community of learners, believers and

friends our aim is to ensure that all students continue to achieve the

highest standards in all they do. As a school we will continue to inspire

and support every child that attends Mount St Josephs to help them realise

their dreams are achievable through hard work, resilience and a determination

that everyone has a positive contribution to make to the school and wider community.