A Wrexham high school is celebrating after two members of staff won awards recognising levels of excellence.

University of South Wales held the inaugural USW Teacher and Adviser Awards online, in collaboration with First Campus.

Lisa Jones, head of Year 7, and Shon Pebble, science and technology teacher, both from Ysgol Bryn Alyn won Outstanding Pastoral and Wellbeing Support and Embracing the Challenges of Covid-19, respectively.

Also nominated were fellow staff members Joanna Davies, teacher of maths/Year 7 form tutor and Sarah Hennessey, faculty head of humanities.

Teachers and advisers from secondary schools and colleges across the UK were nominated for demonstrating excellence during the 2020-21 academic year.

Lisa, 44, supported pupils with their transition from Year 6 to a new school in Year 7.

She was nominated for her personal approach, being always willing and available to listen and support parents/carers, as well as pupils who were starting a new school in the middle of the pandemic.

One of the nominations was from a parent of a child with Asperger Syndrome who found the transition particularly challenging.

Lisa's advice and personalised support has helped him thrive.

She said: "It's 100 per cent a team effort, when you're training for your PGCE, training for a global pandemic wasn't part of it.

"As a school we adapted really proactively, and we made it clear from the start to students that we were still there for them.

"We made it clear that their wellbeing was to come first, anything achieved academically was a bonus.

"Sometimes it can feel a thankless job but to be nominated by parents, to hear what they said in the nomination reenforced why I do this job.

"Winning this has definitely been a career highlight."

Shon Prebble, nominated by headteacher Adele Slinn, created an online community for the school using a variety of resources and platforms to engage pupils.

He has supported his colleagues in developing resources to engage learners, and as a result of his input, students' engagement in their learning increased dramatically.

He also used social media and IT platforms to provide invaluable wellbeing support to his learners.

Shon, 31, added: "I couldn't have done it on my own, it's been a team effort. And the kids have been fantastic.

"This was a big surprise, very unexpected. It was a nice end to what has been a very challenging year."

Each award winner received £500 towards CPD and/or staff wellbeing initiatives at their school or college.

Sera Evans, head of UK Student Recruitment at USW, said: "The past year has been a tumultuous one and the impact of Covid-19 on our young people will be long-lasting.

"We wanted the awards to be an opportunity to recognise the commitment, diligence and resilience that teachers and advisers have demonstrated throughout this period, and praise the support, encouragement and positive impact they have had on the lives of young people."