THE cream of the region's teaching crop have been recognised for nurturing our youngsters at a prestigious awards ceremony.

A dozen stars of education picked up prizes at the 2009 Teaching Awards for the North East and Cumbria at The Sage in Gateshead this afternoon.

The best head teachers, teachers, teaching assistants, governors and sustainable schools each received a Plato, the symbol of excellence in education, and many other finalists were rewarded with a distinction or commendation.

Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, said of the winners: "They are real heroes among their colleagues, pupils and parents and now the wider world knows what a difference they make."

The Teaching Awards 2009 North-East and Cumbria winners are: The SSAT award for outstanding new teacher of the year- Kathryn Lindop, Abbey Hill School and Technology College, Hardwick, Stockton.

The NCSL award for headteacher of the year in a primary school- June Foster, Moorside Community Primary School, Newcastle.

The RAF award for headteacher of the year in a secondary school- Graeme Shillinglaw, Springwell Dene Special School, Sunderland.

Special needs teacher of the year- Matthew Taylor, Woodham Community Technology College, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The TDA award for teaching assistant of the year- Louise Hamilton, Teesdale School, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The BT award for teacher of the year in a primary school- Lindsay Ford, Rockcliffe First School, Whitley Bay.

Award for teacher of the year in a secondary school- Arthur Bell, Southmoor Community School, Sunderland.

The DCSF award for governor of the year- David Jackson, St Peter's CofE Primary school, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.

The DCSF award for sustainable schools- Bydales School, Redcar, Cleveland.

The Ted Wragg award for lifetime achievement- Mike Vening, Abbey Hill School and Technology College, Hardwick, Stockton.

The GTC award for excellence in professional development- Zoe Mather, Beaumont Hill School and Technology College, Darlington.

For full story and pictures see The Northern Echo tomorrow.