Sarah Arthur from Tavernspite Primary Schoolhas been selected as a finalist for the 2013 Pearson Teaching Awards.

She joins a list of exceptional teachers who are the stars of education this year after being nominated in the category, 'Teacher of the Year in a Primary School'.

The finalists will receive the results when they are announced by the Pearson Teaching Awards on Thank a Teacher Day, May 17. They will then be cheered on by pupils, parents and colleagues at school presentations.

Celebrating 12 years of recognition for unsung heroes, the teaching awards will focus on finalists - headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and school teams - from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each of the winners will receive a Plato - the teaching awards trophy representing excellence in education.

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson, president of the teaching awards, said: "I am genuinely proud and honoured to be the president of the teaching awards. I owe so much of what I've done to my fantastic teachers at school and university and it is exciting to join in celebrating what is probably the most important profession of them all." 

The teaching awards were founded by Lord Puttnam CBE to focus on inspired education professionals who make the positive achievements of pupils possible.

2013 is a record year for the Pearson Teaching Awards with over 24,000 nominations. Each and every nomination is a 'thank you' to an education professional who has made a difference to the lives of children and young people.

Headteacher at Tavernspite School Kevin Phelps said: "Mrs. Arthur is an excellent teacher who is extremely talented and hardworking. It is wonderful that her skills have been recognised in this way. Reaching the finals of the Pearson Teaching Awards is a fantastic achievement and a real boost for Mrs. Arthur as well as our whole school community'.