THE head of a village primary school near Halesworth has been named as one of three finalists in a competition spanning the east of England.Cathryn Benefer, of Bramfield Primary, is in the running for the title Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School in the East of England Teaching Awards.

THE head of a village primary school near Halesworth has been named as one of three finalists in a competition spanning the east of England.

Cathryn Benefer, of Bramfield Primary, is in the running

for the title Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School in the East of England Teaching Awards.

Mrs Benefer, who has been at the school for eight years, is up against a head from Hertfordshire and one from Norwich and will attend an awards ceremony on Thursday hosted by BBC Television Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt.

She said: “It was a great surprise to hear that I had been selected as a finalist for a headteacher award.

“I was pleased to receive the nomination as I think it recognises the work of head- teachers and staff working in

small, rural primary schools who do such a great job in meeting the needs of their communities in Suffolk.

“The award really recognises teamwork: teachers and support staff, parents, governors, families working with the headteacher to develop an exciting learning environment and curriculum for the children.”

Mrs Benefer was nominated for the award by the family of a boy at the school with Down's syndrome; he is one of a number of children with significant learning needs who has been supported at Bramfield Primary over the past few years.

After receiving the nomination, two judges visited the school for a morning and interviewed the children, staff, governors and some parents and were given a tour of the vegetable garden by two of the pupils.

There are 11 categories for the awards, including Outstanding

New Teacher of the Year and Teaching Assistant of the Year. There were more than 9,200 nominations for the awards overall.

The Teaching Awards were founded by Lord Puttnam in 1998 to focus on inspired professionals who made the positive achievements of pupils possible.

Each of the 11 winners will receive a Plato, the Teaching Awards symbol of excellence in education. Distinctions and commendations will also be presented.

Caroline Evans, chief executive

of the awards, said: “This is a record year for the Teaching Awards.

“Each and every one has been thanked for making a difference to the lives of children and young people.

“Good luck, everyone, and well done for coming this far.”