AN award-winning teacher who was voted one of the best in the country is flying high - literally.

Jeffrey Threlfall was voted Britain's best secondary headteacher by the Teaching Awards Trust.

Due to the RAF's sponsorship of the awards, he won a trip to RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire.

Mr Threlfall, of Wildern Secondary School, is also the executive head of John Hunt School, both in Southampton.

He was nominated for his award by staff and governors for work which has seen a 50 per cent increase in exam successes.

He said: "I was very surprised to hear I had won the award. There are a lot of good teachers out there. I still find the job challenging and I still get a buzz out of seeing kids do well.

"I'm very grateful to the RAF for putting this day on, It has been a rewarding and interesting experience."

His visit included a tour of the base's air traffic control tower and he donated a trip in a Hawk jet, given as part of the prize, to his son Greg.

Group captain Mark Page, the RAF's inspector of recruiting, said: "We sponsor the award for best secondary headteacher because it is the most relevant for us in terms of the qualities we are looking for in service personnel of leadership and management."