A TEACHER'S work in inspiring budding scientists has been recognised at a prestigious awards night.

Jackie Flaherty, the director of STEM at Chipping Campden School, was amongst those to be recognised at this year’s ENTHUSE Celebration Awards.

Ms Flaherty was awarded the ENTHUSE Award for Excellence in STEM teaching in secondary education and was recognised after teaching physics for 24 years.

The event celebrates teachers, volunteers and employers from across Wales and the south west of England who actively encourage more people to take up science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning.

The event, organised by Stem Learning in conjunction with educational charity Techniquest, welcomed cabinet secretary for education Kirsty Williams AM who handed out the awards on the night.

Ms Williams said: “It is impossible to put a price on the value that informed and passionate teaching can make. "Making STEM subjects engaging is crucial and can help inspire and ignite passions that lead to new futures, new opportunities, and new horizons for all our young people.

“That is why I am especially pleased to have been asked to personally recognise the outstanding contribution of Welsh STEM teachers.

"Their significant role in helping nurture our future scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians is a vital part of our national mission of education reform here."

The awards took place at the National Assembly Building in Cardiff Bay.

The winners will now go on to the UK-wide finals of the ENTHUSE Celebration Awards, and attend a prestigious event at the House of Commons in London.