Top awards for best teachers and schools

Teachers, school staff and governors from the West Midlands were honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Hundreds gathered in Birmingham to celebrate the region's education stars at the finals of the Teaching Awards 2010.

Organisers hailed the finalists as "ambassadors for teaching at its best." Manor Primary School, in Bilston; teacher Paul Evason, of Haybridge High School in Stourbridge, and Crocketts Community Primary School, in Smethwick, were among the worthy category winners.

Paul Evason was the winner of the outstanding new teacher of the year award.

The 25-year-old teaches design technology at Haybridge High School and Sixth Form, in Brake Lane, Hagley.

Katie Beech, head of RE at Baxter College in Kidderminster, won the title of West Midlands' teacher of the year in a secondary school.

Manor Primary School, in Bilston, won the title of outstanding school team of the year.

Crocketts Primary School, Coopers Lane, Smethwick, won the award for sustainable schools. Devonshire Infant School, in Smethwick, won a distinction and Moorlands Primary School, West Bromwich, was commended.

Other successes included: Liam Nolan, of Perry Beeches School, Great Barr, and Ceri Owens, of The Stourport High School distinction (secondary school headteacher of the year);

Emma Jewkes, of The Ridge Primary School, Stourbridge, commended (primary school teacher of the year).

Mark Lea, of St Andrew's CE School, commended and Richard Dalton, of St Thomas More School, Willenhall, distinction (governor of the year).

Stourport High School, distinction (outstanding school team).