DENISE Easton’s ‘classroom’ is quite different to that of any other teacher in East Lancashire.

She’s employed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and spends most mornings teaching children from the age of four through to GCSE and even A-level.

But her ‘school’ has no playground or morning assembly because the pupils are all patients in Royal Blackburn Hospital’s busy 51-bed children’s ward.

Often, her afternoons are spent travelling to the homes of youngsters who may be recuperating after receiving treatment at special hospitals elsewhere in the country in an effort to ensure loss of education is kept to a minimum.

It was her skills and dedication, together with a wide range of personal qualities that won Denise the hotly-contested title of Inspirational Teacher of the Year in the first Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards.

This category, sponsored by BAE Systems, attracted more entries than any other but the nomination by Sarah Caton, the ward manager of the hospital’s children’s ward, graphically described a unique teaching role.

As well as helping youngsters progress with their particular syllabus after liaising with their normal schools, Sarah Caton wrote that Denise ‘provides education in a totally abnormal setting and ensures the children in hospital or at home receive an education to which they are entitled at a standard which is second to none’.

She continued: “Because of the wide range in ages, Denise has to be up-to-date with the whole school curriculum. She has the ability to talk to all children at all levels and engage them with learning at a standard which is second to none. Some of the children she works with have life-limiting conditions. In these circumstances Denise provides normality in abnormal situations. She provides support for these children and families and becomes as important to them as the doctor or nurse attending them.

“Denise goes over and above her role in ensuring these children and families receive education and support.”

When told of the award Denise, 62, who plans to retire this summer, said modestly: “I am amazed. I didn’t even know I had been nominated.

“I have never wanted to do anything else. This has always been my dream job.”

  • Judges also singled out two other teachers in this category for special praise: Margot Hammond of St Joseph’s Park Hill School, Burnley and Mr Pettifer of West Craven High School, Barnoldswick who was nominated separately by nine different pupils.