A technical college and secondary school in Workington has been shortlisted for three prestigious awards.

Energy Coast UTC of Lillyhall has been nominated for 'education's Oscars' the national Pearson Awards. They are the only school in the country to be nominated in three categories, and the only one in the county to make it to the shortlist.

Kerryann Wilson has been nominated for Teacher of the year in a Secondary School and Energy Coast UTC's principal Cherry Tingle has been nominated for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School.

The college as a whole is up for the Making a Difference Secondary School of the Year award.

Barbara Stephens, chair of the Energy Coast UTC trust board said: "We are honoured and delighted that all the hard work of all our staff and students, and that of our employer partners, has been recognised in being shortlisted for these very prestigious awards.

"These nominations are very well deserved and show the very real difference Energy Coast UTC makes to young people’s lives.

"Cherry and her team work tirelessly to ensure every young person achieves the very best of which they are capable and has the best education and preparation for working life.”

Nominees will be judged by a team of education experts, followed by the announcement of the silver award winners.

They then compete for one of just 14 gold awards which are handed out at the televised UK ceremony later in the year.

The national awards ceremony is televised on the BBC as 'Britain's Classroom's Heroes.'

President of Pearson UK, Rob Bristow said: “Our teachers in the UK are unsung heroes. In this crisis, many are working in schools with vulnerable children, and those that aren’t, are working hard to enable learning to continue in incredibly challenging circumstances. They deserve our deep gratitude and recognition.

"I'm proud that The Pearson National Teaching Awards recognise and celebrate teachers for their commitment, dedication – and heroism.”