A TEACHER from The Purbeck School has won a prestigious silver Pearson Teaching Award.

Carly Jones, who was just one of 55 teachers selected from more than 20,000 nominations, has won the award in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category.

Miss Jones, who is in her second year of teaching, is already an assistant head of English at the Wareham school.

Purbeck School head teacher Leanne Symonds said: “This award is richly deserved and I am so pleased for Carly that her immense talent has been recognised in this way.

“Our students are incredibly lucky to have such good and caring teachers like Carly at our school.”

Miss Jones will now join fellow silver award winners at the UK final of the Teaching Awards at London’s Guildhall on October 26. At this televised ceremony, ten silver award winners will receive gold awards.

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson, president of the Teaching Awards, said: “I am genuinely proud and honoured to be the president of the Teaching Awards.

“I owe so much of what I’ve done to my fantastic teachers at school and university and it is exciting to join in celebrating what is probably the most important profession of them all.”

The Pearson Teaching Awards are open to every school in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Rod Bristow, of sponsors Pearson, said: “Everyone can remember a teacher who inspired and challenged them so it is important to say thank you.

“It is great teaching that makes the biggest difference to learning and that’s why great teachers must be recognised.”