TEACHERS from across the North-East and North Yorkshire have been nominated in the 2005 national Teaching Awards.

The awards are held every year to recognise excellence in teaching. Winners of the regional finals will go through to the national final, in London, in October.

The North Yorkshire finalists will attend the north of England regional awards ceremony in Harrogate, on June 13.

Finalists from the North-East will find out the winners on June 15 at Newcastle Racecourse.

The teachers and the categories they will compete in are: Hazel Bennett, Ingleby Arncliffe Primary School, near Northallerton, award for teaching assistant of the year; Joanne Morley, Masham Primary School, BT Award for teacher of the year in a primary school; Chris Horn, Broadway Junior School, Sunderland, award for working with business and the community; Mark Woodley, Sunderland Junior and High School, Teacher Training Agency Award for outstanding new teacher; Gary Wallis, Beech Hill Primary School, Westerhope, Promethean Award for headteacher of year in a primary school; Philomena Marshall, Sandhill View School, Grindon, Sunderland, RAF Award for headteacher of the year in a secondary school; Janice Hutchinson, Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool, award for teaching assistant of the year; Liz Gill, Wearhead Primary School, Bishop Auckland, BT Award for teacher of the year in a primary school; Ken Robinson, Billingham South Primary School, Promethean Award for headteacher of year in a primary school; Anne Hedley, Sunderland Pupil Referral Unit, Award for special needs teacher of year; Peggy Swinhoe, St Patrick's RC Primary School, Thornaby, award for healthy schools; Ann Hammett, Emmanuel College, Gateshead, Guardian Award for teacher of year in a secondary School; Ann Oliver, Sunningdale Special School, Sunderland, award for special needs teacher of the year; Brian Davison, John Spence Community High School Sports College, North Shields, award for healthy Schools; Ann Southren, Durham Trinity School, award for working with business and community; Dr Tony Broady, Walker Technology College, Newcastle, DfES Innovation Unit Award for lifetime achievement; Margaret Pattinson, Glendene School, Easington Colliery, award for special needs teacher of year; Nicola Sinden, Delves Lane Junior School. Consett, award for teaching assistant of year; Linda Russell-Bond, Thornaby Community School, award for healthy schools; Lisa Holt, Hill View Infant School, Sunderland, Teacher Training Agency Award for outstanding new teacher.