THREE months is all one teacher needed to convince competition judges that he was one of the best in his field.

Peter Rutherford who works at Eccleston Mere Primary School has been recognised for his rapid impact on the education of youngsters after being named runner up in the ITN Mark Education Supply Teacher of the Year Award.

ITN Mark Education specialises in the recruitment of teachers, special educational needs, nursery and support staff for schools, academies and nurseries across the country.

The 45-year-old, originally from Bolton was nominated by colleague Karen Pickthall who said: “Peter has been an outstanding member of the team. From the outset he fitted in immediately and hit the ground running. Peter has had a profound impact on the children he has been working with. His is incredibly flexible, willingly taking on extra duties that extend beyond the normal school day.

“Having worked one to one with an individual pupil, Peter has provided consistently detailed feedback, which identifies not only successes, but also specific areas of weaknesses.

“He responds appropriately to the individual learning needs of the child, adapting activities as necessary and maintaining a much appreciated dialogue with the parents. Peter has a winning manner with both staff and children alike, in fact he is brilliant in all aspects of his work.”

Peter was one of 14 supply teachers to be shortlisted throughout the UK.