A BLACKBURN teacher could be set to scoop a national teaching award after being nominated by a former pupil.

Avril Ormisher, a teacher at St Bede's High School in Livesey Branch Road, is one of four teachers from the North West nominated for the special needs category of the Teaching Awards 2004.

She has won through to the regional final presentation at Liverpool Town Hall in June and if she is successful on the night will be in the running for the national award with other special-needs teachers across the country.

Mrs Ormisher, who has been teaching special needs pupils for 12 years, said: "I was nominated by a past pupil and it was backed up by the headteacher.

They came into school about two weeks ago to speak to pupils, teaching and support staff, parents and local authority representatives and also observed me teaching.

"It is a great honour, but I'm just doing my job.

"It is fantastic to see that so many people have written these nice things about me and also very embarrassing.

"But I am overwhelmed and humbled."

"This is a very rewarding job because with special-needs children you celebrate every step of progress and parents and children are usually very grateful and appreciative of your help."

Mrs Ormisher, who did her teacher training at the University of Central Lancashire, teaches information technology and business studies to those aged 11 to 16 who have a range of disabilities, including autism, physical disability, emotional problems and visual impairment.

John Challoner, headteacher of St Bede's, said: "Mrs Ormisher is a very caring teacher and gives a lot of her time to the children.

"The school is delighted, I am delighted, the governors are delighted and it is great news for Blackburn and Darwen that she has reached the last four for this award.

"To be referred by a child is obviously something special and it is great news for the children at St Bede's."