A NORTH Yorkshire teacher is to play a national role in the future of teaching.

Judy Moorhouse, a head of year at Richmond School, has been elected as chairwoman of the General Teaching Council for England (GTC).

She is the first woman to be elected to the post, and will take up her post in September.

Ms Moorhouse began her career in teaching in 1971 and has a deep commitment to young people.

She was appointed to the GTC as a representative of the National Union of Teachers and was previously chairwoman of the union's National Education and Equal Opportunities Committee for four years and is currently junior vice-president.

Ms Moorhouse said: "I am personally very proud of the work the GTC is doing to ensure that continuing professional development is a priority for Government and education policymakers.

"The importance of classroom teachers like myself participating in effective learning opportunities to improve the quality of their teaching cannot be overestimated. I see the benefits of my own learning and others' learning on pupils in my school every day."

Retiring GTC chairman John Beattie said: "I am pleased that council will continue to have a practising teacher at the helm.

"The GTC is a unique body drawing together a wide mix of practising teachers, parents, governors and other representatives."