A HEADTEACHER, who presided over a £3m transformation of his school, has qualified as a lecturer in a highly prestigious course.

Ed Lott, headteacher at King James I Community College, Bishop Auckland, has been part of a pioneering education initiative in County Durham.

He has qualified as one of a team delivering an Investors in Excellence course, already widely used in the US and Australia, which enables students to make the most of their potential, and be ambitious and creative.

While at the school, Mr Lott has seen three years of building work to provide new computer, technology and science facilities.

A £1m humanities building will be officially opened later this month, by Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster, and the leader of Durham County Council Don Robson.

Plans are also under way to construct a multi-million pound leisure centre and a sports hall.

Mr Lott, a father of two, said yesterday: "Even more exciting than the new facilities, however, is the way in which the achievements of the staff and pupils at King James have reached new heights.

"We are already an Investors in People College, a nationally-recognised statement of our standards, and the number of our teachers and pupils who will be involved in the international Investing in Excellence qualification means that King James 1 Community College is going to be a very exciting and positive place to work over the next few years.