TEACHERS from across Suffolk and Essex have been named as regional finalists in a national competition that showcases excellence in education and best practice in schools.

TEACHERS from across Suffolk and Essex have been named as regional finalists in a national competition that showcases excellence in education and best practice in schools.

Twelve teachers from across the two counties have been named among others from the east of England as regional finalists in the prestigious 2005 Teaching Awards.

They have been recognised in a number of categories, ranging from the gong for the outstanding new teacher to the lifetime achievement award.

In Suffolk, Gary Hunt, of Blackbourne Middle School, Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, has been nominated for the award for working with businesses and the community.

Wendy Garrard, of St Mary's Primary School, Mildenhall, has been nominated for primary school headteacher of the year while Catherine Younger, also at St Mary's, is in the running for the outstanding new teacher award.

Other Suffolk nominees include Hayley Dodd, of Orwell High School, Felixstowe, for teacher of the year at a secondary school and Elaine Elliot, of All Saints Primary School, Laxfield, near Woodbridge for primary school teacher of the year.

Essex is represented by Lallie Godfrey, of Chancellor Park Primary School, Chelmsford, and Joyce O'Brien, of Bursville Infant School, Clacton, in the healthy schools category – promoting healthy living – and Alan Osborn of the Tendering Technology College, Frinton, has been nominated for the lifetime achievement award.

Simon Clapson, also of the Tendering Technology College, is nominated for teacher of the year in a secondary school and is joined by Helena Graham, at Chelmsford High School for Girls, in the same category.

Robert Barnes, of the Plume School, Maldon, is up for the award for working with businesses and the community and the final Essex candidate is Michael Gilders, of Harwich School, who is in the running for the lifetime achievement award.

The awards, sponsored by the likes of BT, the Guardian and the Teacher Training Agency, were established by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998 and is administered by the Teaching Awards Trust.

Designed to showcase excellent educational standards, initiatives and best practice in local schools, the competition in open is open to all schools in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

David Hanson, chief executive of the Teachers Awards Trust, said: "We believe that there is no greater responsibility than teaching the next generation and these people deserve recognition at local and national level.

"The awards offer everyone the unique opportunity to thank those unsung heroes of teaching."

The winners will be announced at a special ceremony being held at Assembly House, Norwich, on June 29.

Category winners will then be invited to the national awards ceremony being held at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, on October 16.