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

Carly Jones, pictured left, 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.

“Our students are lucky to have such good teachers like Carly.”

Miss Jones will now join fellow silver award winners at the UK final of the Teaching Awards at London’s Guildhall on October 26.

Ten silver award winners will receive awards at the ceremony.

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson, president of the Teaching Awards, said: “I am proud to be the president of the awards. I owe so much to my fantastic teachers at school and it is exciting to join in celebrating the most important profession of all.”

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

Rod Bristow, of sponsors Pearson, said: “Everyone can remember a teacher who inspired and challenged them.

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