Coach driver Peter Oakley has been presented with a highly commended certificate in the category "Top UK Education Services Driver" launched for the first time this year.

Peter is a driver with GSAL in Leeds, which provides transport services for The Grammar School at Leeds. He was nominated by GSAL earlier this year for the first ever UK Coach Award in the new Top Education Services Driver category.

His nomination followed an internal competition to select the best of their workforce to go forward to the UKCA contest. Unfortunately, there were insufficient entries this year to enable a viable competition to be held - but the judges felt that Peter fully deserved a highly commended certificate for his success internally and for doing a great job for GSAL. 

He was unable to attend the Presentation Ceremony on 4 May, being away with a school party on a trip, but he was presented with his certificate by Sue Woodroofe, who is the Principal of The Grammar School. He received it at a ceremony held in the school in June. 

UKCA director Chris Cheek commented, "We were delighted that Peter got the credit he deserved this year. We look forward to seeing his entry - and hopefully many more from around the country - in our 2018 contest. Doing a good job as a driver of buses and coaches for education services requires a special set of skills, and we believe very strongly that these should be recognised and rewarded."