David Butterworth receives Teacher of the Year Award

David Butterworth receives Sky Sports Living for Sport Teacher of the Year Award at Twickenham Stadium event

Redwood Secondary School teacher David Butterworth was awarded the Sky Sports Living for Sport Teacher of the Year award at a ceremony hosted by Sky Sports pundit and former professional boxer Johnny Nelson at Twickenham Stadium.

The Rochdale educator was presented with the Teacher of the Year trophy at an award ceremony celebrating the achievements of students, teachers and athlete mentors who inspired their peers and embodied the Sky Sports Living for Sport, Six Keys to Success: Mental Toughness, Hunger to Achieve, People Skills, Sports and Life Knowledge, Breaking Barriers and Planning for Success.

The ceremony, attended by more than 100 pupils, included a skills session and rugby match coached by former South African international Thinus Delport and World Cup winner, Heather Fisher.

Mr Butterworth is one of hundreds of secondary school teachers to have organised Sky Sports Living for Sport projects throughout the UK and Ireland. The free initiative, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, uses sport to help young people build practical skills and self-confidence.

Having been involved with Sky Sports Living for Sport since 2007, Mr Butterworth has incorporated PE, English, Maths and Science departments into his projects, helping improve students’ attainment levels across multiple academic disciplines, as well as their attitudes to learning, confidence and attendance. Always willing to go the extra mile, David has had a huge impact on the lives of young people in the local area. including those with special educational needs and disabilities at Redwood Secondary School.

He said: “It’s a great honour to receive this prestigious award. As head of PE in a special school it's an absolute pleasure to go to work each morning. I see the power of sport and how it changes lives each and every day.

“In education there are many programmes and initiatives which come and go but this programme has consistently delivered quality experiences for young people for 14 years. Having worked with the Living for Sport athlete mentors for over 10 years, and being equally as excited as the students, it is fantastic to listen to their stories and witness how reactive they are towards their audiences.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Head of Sky Academy, Jack Eatherley said: “Over ½ a million have taken part in Sky Sports Living for Sport over the years and yet again it’s so inspiring to hear about the journeys the young people have taken”

Baroness Sue Campbell, Chairwoman of the Youth Sport Trust, who presented the award said: “Sky Sports Living for Sport has brought about positive change for so many young people across the country, using athlete mentors to help them grow and develop through sport.

“The Youth Sport Trust has seen continued empowerment in schools where athlete mentors help influence, shape and inspire opportunities within which young people can grow and teachers can support and steer them through personal and academic improvement.”