Niki Bettis, of Akiva Primary School, has been shortlisted for a national award recognising “Outstanding Contribution to Learning Outside the Classroom”.

Kim Somerville,  head of the awards body, said it celebrated those providing inspiring and exciting opportunities for children. “We want as many people as possible to vote for their local hero so they can get the credit they deserve,” she said.

Ms Bettis, a learning support assistant and now class teacher at Akiva for five years, has run a weekly lunchtime gardening club. Its outdoor facilities include a greenhouse, pond, wormery and composting which enables all-round the-year produce from the garden.

Votes for the inspiring teacher award can be cast till the end of the month on www.lotc.org.uk/news-and-events/awards-for-outstanding-contribution-to-lotc/