THE youngest award winner this year was Alisha Cowell who is just six years old but incredibly confident as the audience at the Lancashire Telegraph Schools Awards quickly found out.

The youngster strode up on to stage at the Stanley House Hotel ceremony and, in front of more than 100 invited guests, was happy to take the microphone.

After asking permission to say a few words, she confidently read a prepared speech and said: “I’m very proud of my award. My head teacher is called Mrs Crompton and she nominated me because I try hard every day.

“I come to school even when I feel a bit ill, and I remember my reading book every day.”

Gillian Crompton described Alisha as ‘a fantastic member of our school community’.

The judges were so impressed by Mrs Crompton’s description of Alisha’s social skills and determination they decided she was the outright winner of the category, sponsored by The Heights Alternative Provision & Eden BESD Free School.

Mrs Crompton said: “Alisha takes responsibility for her own learning and has made fantastic gains across all areas of the curriculum, partly due to her giving 100% effort, 100% of the time.

“Alisha is a superb role model to all the children in the school. She helps to take care of the younger children around school at playtimes, she always displays excellent behaviour and is a kind and caring friend.”

When Alisha, who lives in Shadsworth, which is in the bottom one per cent for social deprivation, started in reception class she was in the lowest 10 per cent, but now she is on track to achieving national averages in her Key Stage One SATS test. “She has excellent self-help skills. As a six-year-old she has remembered her reading book completely independently every week, keeps it safe at home and returns it to school on the correct day. This is a remarkable achievement for a little girl so young,” said Mrs Crompton. “Alisha is an inspiration to us all.”

During the judging, Rob Brocklebank, head of school for Eden, said: “It stands out that she’s taking care of younger children despite being six.”

And fellow judge, Jane Scott, managing director of Key Stage Supply, added: “She’s driven and she’s got a purpose. She has a belief in herself.”

Alisha’s mum Lisa said she was incredibly proud of her daughter, the second eldest of five children.

“She’s always tidying up at home, a real little helper. I’ve got a good one there! Alisha was really excited and proud of herself when she heard she was getting the award,” she said.