A DALES secondary school has chosen a prize winning teacher to take the helm.

Andrea Crawshaw will take over as headteacher at Wolsingham School and Community College, in Weardale, in the New Year.

Ms Crawshaw, currently associate headteacher at Deerness Valley Comprehensive in Durham City, said she is looking forward to the move.

The married mother-of-one, from Aycliffe Village, said: "Wolsingham is a brilliant school with a great reputation and real potential."

When working as deputy headteacher at Woodham Community Technology College, she won the RAF Award for leadership within a school.