One of the country's top teachers is expected back at her North-East desk tomorrow after her success in the industry's Oscars.

Barbara Robinson teaches at Blakeston Community School in Stockton, Teesside, and on Sunday night picked up the community award.

Her pioneering scheme brings parents from the poverty stricken area, many of whom have bad memories and poor experiences of school, back into the classroom and helps them gain qualifications and improve their self esteem.

Speaking after the awards, Mrs Robinson said she was surprised but delighted to have won the top prize.

"I think the kids will be very very pleased - they have been asking me every day when the awards are so I'll be able to tell them.

"I'm not quite sure what I said when I got the award but I think I said it was a truly community award, getting parents on board and bringing them back into the classroom."

And she said that was exactly where she would be today -after being given an extra day's half term holiday to recover after celebrating her win. She described the weekend in London and the awards ceremony as "absolutely superb - fantastic."