A HEADTEACHER has earned a place at the London Palladium after being named as one of the region's most outstanding teachers.

Skelton Primary School headteacher Barbara Bell won the title of Primary School Headteacher of the Year in The Teaching Awards' North-East regional final in June.

Her accolade gained her a place in the national finals, which will be held at the Palladium later this month.

Nominated by the school's parent-governor, Jim Hartnett, Mrs Bell said: "It's been overwhelming. I didn't realise what a big, prestigious event it was. And I'm just coming down from the clouds.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to put Skelton and east Cleveland on the map for excellence in education - this is all about the school and the children."

With 14 years of experience as a headteacher, Mrs Bell has worked at Skelton primary for the past four years.

She has led the school through the amalgamation of a juniors and infants section in 2003.

An awards spokesman said: "Barbara Bell has set the highest standards for her pupils - nothing less, she says, is good enough.

"Despite many entering with low attainment, the school is among the top 30 per cent nationally for academic achievement.

"According to Ofsted, her school is simply outstanding."

Mrs Bell was appointed headteacher of Skelton Junior School in 1993, becoming Skelton primary headteacher on its amalgamation in April 2003.

She said: "That's a long time. But it's a special community and I wanted to stay here. The relationships we've built up are absolutely brilliant."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for education, Councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: "Barbara must be one of our longest-serving headteachers and clearly works in and on behalf of the community. Many congratulations to her on obtaining this award - and good luck at the Palladium."

The Teaching Awards will be held at the London Palladium, in front of an audience of 2,000, on October 21. The ceremony, to be screened on BBC2, will be attended by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Ed Balls, along with various celebrities, including Jeremy Vine and X Factor presenter Kate Thornton.