TWYNHAM School head Dr Terry Fish is in line for another top teaching award next month.

After being named the best secondary school head in the South of England earlier this year Dr Fish is among the finalists for the national teaching awards in London on October 21.

Since taking over at the Sopers Lane comprehensive in 2000 Dr Fish has steered Twynham to a long list of accolades including technology and music specialisms and beacon school status, forming a pivotal part of the combined Christchurch Sixth Form with outstanding Ofsted reports and exam results among the best in the country.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Education Secretary Ed Balls made a surprise visit to Twynham on Wednesday to see for themselves and Dr Fish will be meeting the minister again at the London Palladium when he is among the panel of celebrities and educationalists presiding over the teaching awards ceremony.

Dr Fish said: "I am not expecting to win, but it is a huge honour.

"No individual can be successful without a great team of people behind them and I am proud for the school, the staff, the students, the parents, the governors and the whole community that has supported Twynham."

The citation for Dr Fish in the national final praises both his leadership of Twynham and support for neighbouring schools, describing him as the "glue that holds together a local learning network of nine local primary schools and three secondaries."

Dr Fish is also cited as a sensitive and open leader who knows how to get the best from both his students and staff.

Teaching Awards judges say Dr Fish has "consistent commitment and moral purpose that energies his work in school, in the local community and in the wider educational world."