A HEADTEACHER who has transformed a failing Widnes school has been shortlisted for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2018.

Tuesday Humby, principal at Ormiston Chadwick Academy, has been selected from more than 30,000 nominations from 173 countries across the world.

The US one million dollar award is the largest prize of its kind.

The Global Teacher Prize was set up to recognize one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society.

In just three years, Mrs Humby, a former law, politics, drama and theatre studies teacher, took the former Bankfield School on Liverpool Road which was in special measures to outstanding.

The school on Liverpool Road had a dire reputation – the roll was falling and it had been rated inadequate.

Many students had never left their home town or had a sit down meal in a restaurant.

Mrs Humby has introduced an enrichment charter to plug the gaps so every child goes on a residential trip, eats out, visits the theatre and sees live professional sport.

Pupils now travel abroad and recently flew to Kenya for once in a life lifetime experience.

Mrs Humby said: “The mantra here is ‘above and beyond’ and the energy and drive from all staff is evident the minute you walk through the door.

“The relationships between our staff and students are the absolute key to our success.”

The school’s enhanced reputation means more pupils now want to attend the school and parents no longer think university is beyond reach as more students are enrolling on A-level courses.

The school is now the top performing school in Halton, the fifth highest performing in the northwest and ranked in the top 100 in the UK.

The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai in March 2018.

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation and the Global Teacher Prize, said: “Congratulations to Tuesday Humby for reaching the final 50.

“I hope her story inspires those looking to enter the teaching profession and shines a spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over the world every day.

“We intend to keep this momentum going as our journey continues to return teachers to their rightful position as one of the most respected professions in society.”