ANDY Brown from West View Primary School in Hartlepool has been named as a primary headteacher of the year.

Mr Brown is one of 55 teachers to be honoured in the Silver Pearson Teaching Awards, out of more than 20,000 nominations from schools across the UK.

The awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and teaching. Founded in 1999 by Lord Puttnam, they recognize the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they teach.

A spokesman for the Silver Pearson Teaching Awards said: “Andy has a simple vision; to achieve an excellent all-round educational provision for every child enabling them to develop, succeed and make a positive contribution.

“He is an inspirational leader whose character, communication and negotiation skills take people along with him. Andy is passionately ambitious for the children of West View Primary School in ensuring they access the very best provision.

“He has a genuine desire to do the best for the children and this is at the heart of everything he does. Everyone involved in the school feels this and are inspired to do the same.

“Andy is an inspirational leader who is trusted by his staff, the children and parents in his care as well as the governors who are safe in the knowledge that Andy is doing a tremendous job in an area that faces its share of challenges.

“He sets high expectations for all and believes that every child should be inspired and enabled to achieve their full potential irrespective of their starting point in life. “Put simply, his dedication has a huge impact on the lives of many and he is a truly deserving winner of this prestigious Award.”

Mr Brown, who was presented with his award during school assembly, said he was “absolutely thrilled” but insisted that everybody at the school deserved credit, including his “fantastic” staff.

Andy will now join fellow Silver Award winners at the UK final of the Pearson Teaching Awards at London’s Guildhall on October 26, where 10 Silver Award winners will receive a Gold Award. The ceremony will be filmed and broadcast by the BBC.

Rod Bristow, President of Core Markets at Pearson, said: ““Everyone can remember a teacher who inspired and challenged them so it's important to say thank you. It is great teaching that makes the biggest difference to learning and that's why great teachers must be recognised”.