Brighton career swap teacher wins national award

Balfour Primary School's 's Natasha Paling has won a national teaching competition

A Brighton woman who retrained as a teacher at the age of 41 has won a national award for her work.

Natasha Paling was voted Teacher of the Year in a contest run by gift card company Miconex.

The reception teacher started as a volunteer at Balfour Primary School in 2011, before working as a teaching assistant while doing a part-time degree in education.

Ms Paling said: "It was hard work with a family and working as well but it is so, so rewarding. I get to work with some amazing children."

The reception teacher had worked in financial services before taking a career break to raise two sons.

Speaking to BBC South East, Mrs Paling said she was asked to cover some lunchtimes and "fell into" teaching.

Nominees hailed her a "positive beacon of light" for setting up a food bank at the primary school during the pandemic.

She later renamed the service The Pantry to overcome the stigma of food banks.

It is now helping families impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

One nominee wrote: "Her pupils thrive with her, but with her tireless efforts in the famous Pantry she runs, the neighbourhood thrives because of her too."

'We play hard'

The teacher says she is passionate about early careers and wants to get her students' first year "right".

She said: "We have lots and lots of fun in my class. I'm a fun-loving person.

"We work hard as well but we play hard."

Her prize is a £500 Brighton Gift Card for her and a £500 voucher for the school.