A DORCHESTER teacher has proved himself top of the class after winning a major award.

Gary Spracklen, acting assistant headteacher of the Prince of Wales First School, was hailed as ‘one of the country’s leading ICT co-ordinators’ as he was named South West Digital Educator of the Year at the South West Digital Educators Conference.

The event at Plymouth University aimed to celebrate the best practice in teaching with technology across the region.

Mr Spracklen, who was nominated alongside Richard Scott and Scott Munro from the Thomas Hardye School, claimed the top prize after a vote by conference delegates.

He said: “I am overwhelmed by the award and truly grateful to everyone who voted for me.”

Lead consultant for the South West Grid for Learning Julia Adamson said: “Gary Spracklen is one of the country’s leading ICT co-ordinators with a strategic vision for embedding ICT to support teaching and learning for all.

“Gary is a worthy winner of the South West Educator of the Year Award, whose influence spans much further than perhaps he may even realise.”

Mr Spracklen was shortlisted for the final 10 in recognition of the way he inspired his colleagues to embrace and apply new technologies to help pupils, including those with severe learning difficulties.

He showed delegates how new technologies had transformed pupils’ learning at the Prince of Wales First School and left a lasting impact on pupils’ lives.

Mr Spracklen, who recently made the keynote speech at Dorset County Council’s ICT in Schools conference, said he was looking forward to continuing his work at the Prince of Wales First School.

The school has recently bought iPads to further support the pupils’ learning and Mr Spracklen said he had lots of new ideas to share with his colleagues.

He also praised those who had worked alongside for their commitment, enthusiasm and desire to provide the best education for their pupils.

Mr Scott and Mr Munro provided a series of seminars for delegates at the event about the use of animation in education, which they said could be of particular benefit for quieter youngsters.

Mr Scott said: “It has been inspirational to see quiet students lead the planning, preparing, filming of editing phases.

“It is great that we have been able to share this at a regional level at the South West Digital Educators Conference, hopefully inspiring others to follow in the same way as us.”