AN “INSPIRING” Westcliff teacher has scooped a national award acknowledging her passion for education and “unique computing curriculum”.

Chase High School has made a commitment to being a “modern school” and has recently made eSports part of the curriculum where children play competitive digital games and compete in national competitions.

As a result, computer science and IT subject leader Melanie Hall has been honoured with the silver award for “digital innovator of the year” at the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Through her work, Chase offers young people the opportunity to indulge in gaming and games design through its curriculum and clubs.

Mrs Hall also provides free creative computing workshops to Year 5 pupils.

She will now attend a televised London gala ceremony in November.

Headteacher Jamie Foster said: “Melanie is an inspiration to her team, our students and the wider community. She is passionate about providing an exciting, fun and unique computing curriculum for young people.

“Because of her work, we have seen a significant increase in our cohort at post-16, as well as an oversubscribed eSports club. Lessons are more active, and more girls are demonstrating an interest in computing than ever before.

“Melanie is a selfless, hardworking asset to the school and our community. As a female role model leading innovation, she is a true inspiration.”

The annual celebration of excellence in education is run by the Teaching Awards Trust and recognises the roles of teachers across the UK.

The school was one of two in the area to achieve Digital Schoolhouse status last summer, giving students a unique link to the games development industry and teachers access to resources, free training and links to the UK video games industry to support games development students.

Dr Elise Ecoff, chief education officer at Nord Anglia Education which sponsors the award, said: “Digital fluency is a must-have for students’ success, and I’ve been impressed by the scale of innovation at Chase High School to deliver better teaching and learning outcomes.

“Given the ever-increasing need for students to be digitally savvy, I’d like to give a very warm congratulations to Melanie Hall.”