A TEACHER who dresses as a flamenco dancer during Spanish lessons was yesterday named North-East Teacher of the Year.

Judges said Natalie Peacey went to extraordinary lengths to inspire her pupils at West View Primary School, in Hartlepool.

She was the regional winner of the BT award for teacher of the year in the primary school category at the event, held in Newcastle.

As well as being a pivotal force in moving her school up to being the 25th most improved in the country, she has raised parent involvement and featured in a Government video on collaborative learning.

Afterwards, modest Ms Peacey said: "It is very much a team approach between my teaching assistant, Ann Dean, and myself.

"We have a vision to make a difference to each and every child. It also comes down to good leadership and management throughout the school."

The regional award for leadership went to Andrea Crawshaw, of Woodham Community Technology College, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, who, as deputy head, successfully led a variety of financial bids and initiatives to develop the school as a specialist technology college.

She also played a leading role in developing a rigorous performance system, called Star Potential and Rising Stars.

Melanie Lyons, of Ferryhill Comprehensive School, also County Durham, who won the award for school and community involvement, said she was a passionate believer that students must have experiences beyond the school curriculum to develop and extend their self-esteem.

Initiatives have included collecting more than 1,000 pairs of spectacles for people in developing countries and building a garden in a hospice.

John Graham, deputy headteacher of Hurworth Primary School, near Darlington, won the award for lifetime achievement in a primary school.

Panel members said Mr Graham was held in extremely high esteem in the community, with some parents moving back to the area so their children can go to the same school that they did.

Mr Graham said: "I must say how happy I have been working at Hurworth School for the past 30 years. Over the years, the headteachers I have worked for have all given us the trust to teach in our own way, without being overly monitored and checked.

"It is such a friendly school and a rewarding place to work."

Leanne Dale, of Hartlepool's Manor College of Technology, won the award for innovation in education for her approaches to teaching through e-learning.

Every Regional Winner will be invited to attend the Teaching Awards 2004 national ceremony on October 24, at the Palace Theatre, London.

North-East's top teachers

The BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School

Natalie Peacey

West View Primary School,

Hartlepool

The Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School

Mike O'Neill

Sunderland High School

The Innovation Unit Award for Innovation in Education

Leanne Dale

Manor College of Technology,

Hartlepool

The Promethean Award for Headteacher of the Year

Kevin McDermid

Usworth School, Washington

The Teacher Training Agency Award for Outstanding New Teacher

Christopher Harte

St Robert of Newminster RC School, Washington

The RAF Award for Leadership within a School Andrea Crawshaw

Woodham Community Technology College, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

The Award for School and Community Involvement

Melanie Lyons

Ferryhill Comprehensive School,

County Durham

The Award for Lifetime Achievement in a Primary School

John Graham

Hurworth Primary School,

Hurworth Village, Darlington

Special Commendations were awarded to a number of shortlisted nominees, who were each given a £250 cheque for their schools. They included:

Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School

Nicola Hutchinson

English Martyrs RC School,

Hartlepool

Innovation in Education Carolyn Barker

Beaumont Hill School and Technology College, Darlington

Outstanding New Teacher

Steven Dixon

Manor College of Technology,

Hartlepool

Karen Leighton

West View Primary School,

Hartlepool

The Award for School and Community Involvement

Patricia Henderson

Woodham Burn Infant School

Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

The Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year

Marilyn Edwards

Ingleton CE Primary School,

Ingleton, Darlington