THE region's gifted and dedicated teachers were yesterday honoured in the Oscars of the education world.

The BT Teaching Awards, held at Newcastle's Assembly Rooms, paid tribute to the tireless work carried out by thousands of teachers every day.

Awards were made for work with special needs children, weak school's turned around, and inspiring leadership.

History teacher Daniel Kilkenny, 24, said his outstanding young teacher award was made special by the fact his pupils put him forward for it.

"It was the kids who wrote the reports and it is nice that they are prepared to do that for you," said Mr Kilkenny, who has been teaching two years.

"Teaching them is not quite so hard when they like you."

Middlesbrough teacher Joyce Bramley, 46, said she was absolutely "thrilled" with her primary teacher of the year award.

Miss Bramley juggles seven roles at Overfields Primary, where she has taught for 25 years. She is renowned for her enthusiasm, particularly for encouraging the children to take part in drama and singing.

"I think respect is the key thing. I respect the children and they respect me," she said.

Winners took home a £2,000 cash grant for their schools and will go forward to the UK ceremony in London on October 28.

The winners were: Lloyds TSB Award for Working with Parents and the Community in a Secondary School - Barbara Robinson, Blakeston Community School, Stockton; Lloyds TSB Award for Working with Parents and the Community in a Primary School - Glenis Smith, Hetton Lyons Primary School, Houghton-le-Spring; Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership in a Primary School - Bernadette Doherty, Wharrier Street Primary School, Newcastle; The Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership in a Secondary School - Sue Hyland, Houghton Kepier School, Houghton-le-Spring; BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School - Ron Thompson, Whickham School, Newcastle; The BT Award for the Teacher of the Year in Primary School - Joyce Bramley, Overfields School, Middlesbrough; The Guardian Award for Outstanding New Teacher - Daniel Kilkenny, Houghton Kepier School, Houghton-le-Spring; Lifetime Achievement Award - John Coulthard, Wensleydale Middle School, Blyth; Excellence in Special Needs Teaching Award - Jane Dimmock, The King Edward VI School, Morpeth