A PRIMARY school teacher described by her colleagues as "inspirational" has been honoured with a prestigious award.

Angela Hilton, of Cleves Cross Primary School in Ferryhill, was presented with a Pearson Silver Teaching Award in the category of Teacher of the Year in a Primary School.

Ms Hilton was nominated by one of her students before being endorsed by headteacher Alison Lazenby.

Deputy headteacher Christine Brentnall commended the primary school teacher of 15 years and said she was adored by her students.

She said: “Angela is an inspirational teacher, she makes learning exciting and the kids love going into her classes.

“She is fun and creative and she works exceptionally hard in everything she does, and the children are always at the centre of that.

“We are over the moon that she has been presented with the award and she thoroughly deserves it.”

Ms Hilton is one of 68 Silver Award winners across the country, selected from thousands of nominations.

She was presented with the award trophy at school during a special assembly on Wednesday (June 19) to celebrate her achievement.

Ms Hilton has now been shortlisted to win one of 13 Gold Awards at the UK’s “Oscars for Teachers”.

She will join fellow Silver Award winners at the 21st UK ceremony of the Pearson Teaching Awards.

The event will be held at the Roundhouse in London on October 20 and broadcast on BBC2 the following week, on October 27, as “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”, a showcase of excellence in education.

Previous award presenters include former Prime Ministers David Cameron and Tony Blair, acting legends Jenny Agutter, Alison Steadman and Sheila Hancock, as well as sports and TV personalities including Shirley Ballas and Brendan Cole.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact a teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach, many of whom go on to train as teachers themselves.

Rod Bristow, president of Pearson UK, said: “Congratulations to all of our Silver Award winners being presented with a sliver trophy by their pupils.

“We mustn’t forget that these pupils may well be the next generation of teachers, and that’s all thanks to the commitment of those currently in the profession.

"Recognising and celebrating teachers for the lasting impact they have on young people’s lives is crucial, and that’s why Pearson is delighted to support these awards every year.”

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