OUR inspirational Primary School Head of the Year Deborah Hopwood shared the news that the work she had done was deserving of this award with her father, just hours before he passed away.

Mrs Hopwood received a standing ovation from the gathered guests as she accepted her award.

She said: “Thank you very much for this award but this isn’t mine, this is my team's because you have to have a good team around you to lead a really good school.

“At Moorgate we are a family, through good times and bad. I have that instilled in me from my parents, and I would like to thank The Bolton News for their timing of announcing the winners of this because I was able at 10am to tell my dad that this is what I have done and at 3pm my dad then passed away.

“Thank you very much to my team I absolutely love you and my family.”

Mrs Hopwood was put forward for the award for he work to ensure all pupils “achieve not only academically, but personally, socially and emotionally”.

And the school is described as a “family school” of which parents as well as pupils are part.

Sue Yates, who nominated her said she “knows her staff, pupils and families well”.

Mrs Hopwood said: “This is about the whole team who pull together to deliver our shared vision of what we want for our children which is to be the very best they can be so they can aspire achieve and sparkle.”