Nominations continue to roll in for our Person of the Week, the News & Star feature which each week shines a spotlight on someone who has achieved something special.

That might be a milestone in their career, selfless service to the community, or just recognition for a simply amazing person who you think deserves applause.

Nominated this week is Matt Forrest, head of Year 7 at Ullswater Community College in Penrith, who has been described as a brilliant head of year.

During lockdown he has gone above and beyond to support more than 200 pupils in his year group.

In addition to fielding parents’ queries, and to providing online work, he has found a special way to make sure that pupils don’t miss out on their rewards. Matt has ridden around on his motorbike to deliver achievement certificates and badges to pupils in person, at their homes.

From Carlisle to Alston, to Shap, Appleby and Glenridding, and as far west as Berrier – Matt has made sure that no pupil has missed out on being rewarded for their achievements.

Year 7 is such an important year in secondary school, when pupils are just starting out and finding their feet. This group has had that interrupted by lockdown and have missed nearly half of the academic year.

This has been a challenge for many – missing learning, their friends and the support of the school environment, as well as other challenges of being apart from family members and not being able to socialise in the same way.

UCC has recognised the challenges and have really looked after pupil wellbeing by sending supportive messages and resources, by keeping the regular structure to the school day online and by still giving out achievement points which they call ATLs, or Attitude To Learning. Pupils accumulate points and are awarded bronze, silver, gold and platinum certificates and badges. It is these that Matt has been delivering, on his bike, all over north Cumbria.

Parents Karen Lockney, Francesca Scott, Sue Monico, Michelle Crompton and Alison Edmundson have nominated Matt – all have children in Year 7 and have had badges delivered.

Happy for the support she has received Francesca Scott said: "William was absolutely over the moon that Mr Forrest had gone to such lengths to recognise his hard work. It was amazing."

Amazed at the response, Mr Forrest said: "This week I delivered the 300th badge to a well deserving pupil. I have delivered badges to 187 different pupils.

"I'm so pleased if it is making a difference to pupils, I think the awards have got real value at this time and it’s been a lovely part of my job.

"I'm flattered to be nominated."

“I think that at a time like this it’s people that really matter and getting out to homes with badges is a way to ensure that that vital human contact with school is not lost. Our youngsters are working incredibly hard under incredible circumstances and delivering the badges they have earned not only gives them something to strive for, but gives us a chance to still celebrate their achievement and let them know we are still out here.

"For me, that is what makes UCC such a wonderful place, that focus on the wellbeing of the child and family as the real centre of successful learning."