The Oscars of the education world will honour the region's most dedicated teachers at a glittering ceremony next Thursday.

The Teaching Awards, will be handed out to celebrate the vital role teachers and teaching assistants play in the region.

Hundreds of nominations have been made by the local community, parents and pupils.

The awards, in partnership with telecommunications giant BT, will be presented at a prestigious ceremony at the Old Assembly Rooms in Newcastle on June 20.

The winners will be awarded a prize package worth £3,000 for their school, including £2,000 in cash and £1,000 worth of the latest computer equipment. Those who receive a Special Commendation will receive a cheque for £250 for their school.

The North East Awards are one of 12 Ceremonies across the country. Regional winners will then go on to the 2002 Teaching Awards Ceremony at the Theatre Royal, London on October 27.

National winners will receive a further cash grant of £13,000 and prize package including an interactive whiteboard, taking the total value of their award to £25,000.

This year's short list includes:

The BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School - Pat Porter, Windermere C of E Junior, Windermere, Maureen Stephenson, St Mary's RC Primary, Newcastle. The BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School - Doug Paterson, St Benet Biscop High, Bedlington, Neil McGrath, Woodham Community Technology, Newton Aycliffe, Sue Davies, Thornhill Secondary, Sunderland. The BP Award for Science Year - David Mason, Millom School, Millom, Paul Gait, Queen Elizabeth Grammar, Penrith. The Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership in a Primary School - Terri Eyre, Beckermet C of E Primary, Beckermet, Michael Harris Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary and Nursery, Barnard Castle, Pat Barker, Cotherstone Primary, Barnard Castle, Neil Parker, Heighington C of E Primary, Newton Aycliffe. The Guardian Award for Outstanding New Teacher - Roisin McVeigh, Wolsingham School and Community College, Bishop Auckland, Timothy Cassap, St Michael's RC Primary, Durham, Clare Powell, Abbey Hill School Technology College, Stockton, Peter Burn, Manor College of Technology, Hartlepool. The Award for School and Community Involvement, Robert Huck, Whitehaven School, Whitehaven, John Maddison, Wolsingham School and Community College, Bishop Auckland. The Award for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching - David Erskine, Southands School, North Shields. The Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year - John Jamieson, Blakeston Community School, Stockton, Anne Daly, Beckermet C of E Primary, Beckermet, Julie Baker, Inglewood Infants School, Carlisle. The Award for Lifetime Achievement - Margaret Cairns, Bailey Green Primary, Newcastle, Joan Lister, Ashfield Nursery, Newcastle.