A SUFFOLK primary school teacher has said she is “surprised and excited” to have been nominated for a regional award.

Elliot Furniss

A SUFFOLK primary school teacher has said she is “surprised and excited” to have been nominated for a regional award.

Lisa Tweed, who works at Abbots Hall Primary School in Stowmarket, has been shortlisted for the BT East of England Teacher of the Year in a Primary School Award.

She will find out the result during a special ceremony in Norwich next month after being put forward for the title by the parent of a child in her class.

Mrs Tweed, 32, of Wagtail Drive, Bury St Edmunds, said: “A parent nominated me and then the teaching panel came in and talked to parents, other members of staff and governors and observed me teaching.

“I was really pleased but it's not just me, it's the whole team as well. It's very nice to have got this far but I don't mind at all if I win.

“Teaching is very rewarding and it's worth all the hard work - no two days are ever the same and the kids are great.”

Mrs Tweed, who lives with her husband Adrian and their two-year-old son Albert, joined Abbots Hall three years ago but has been teaching for 10 years.

She also works as a lead teacher, helping staff in other schools to improve and helping them come up with new ideas.

Abbots Hall head Debbie Knight said the nomination was a credit to Mrs Tweed and all the hard work she put in at the school.

She said: “Inspirational is the key word about Lisa - she inspires all her colleagues and she's positive and enthusiastic in all that she does.

“She's creative and the children are so motivated in her classes that their learning excels. She's outstanding, but very humble with it.”

Mrs Knight and Mrs Tweed will be heading off to De Vere Dunston Hall, near Norwich, on June 4 for the award ceremony where they will be joined by dozens of other outstanding teachers and education workers.

The finalists from all 12 categories will be cheered on by pupils, parents and colleagues at the prestigious event, hosted by BBC Look East's Susie Fowler-Watt.

Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, said the ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the “skill, devotion, passion and professionalism” that teachers brought to their work.

She said: “The influence of these outstanding individuals on the lives of children and their families cannot be underestimated. Society needs to recognise their impact and thank them wholeheartedly for the important contribution that they make.”