In 2015, an Ofsted report painted a bleak picture of the state of maths learning at Penketh High School.

It detailed low GCSE results, high staff turnover, inconsistencies in student progress and assessment, concluding that teaching and learning required improvement.

In September that year, a new head of department entered the picture - and with her, four newly qualified teachers, a new marking and feedback policy, a new homework scheme and a restructured curriculum.

Only two years later, maths had become the best performing English Baccalaureate subject and, most importantly, the team had gained strength, becoming what the assistant principal described in the award nomination as the best teaching team he had ever known or had the pleasure to be a part of.

The marking and feedback policies, as well as the homework scheme, have now been adopted by the whole school and other schools within the multi-academy trust - and the maths department is now referred to as the flagship department for the school.

Lead judge Jemma Sherwood, a head of maths herself, complimented the “huge” improvement made to the department.