A YORK primary school is celebrating after two members of staff were nominated for regional teaching awards.

Scarcroft Primary School's head teacher, Anna Cornhill, and teaching assistant Karen Foster have both been nominated for prestigious accolades.

Helene Podmore, from Lidgett Grove School, in Acomb, has been nominated for a special needs teaching award.

The regional awards, which will take place on June 8 at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, aim to honour the work of teaching staff across the country.

Other nominations include: Cherie Marwood from Pocklington Junior School, who was nominated in the new teacher category; Chris Searle from Harrogate Granby High School in Harrogate, who was nominated for a lifetime achievement award; Gill Hollins, Crayke Primary School who was nominated for primary school teacher of the year; Janet Darcy, from Seamer and Irton Primary School, Scarborough, who was nominated for teaching assistant of the year; and Stephen Powell, Raincliffe School, Newby, Scarborough, nominated for special needs teacher of the year.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by BBC Look North's Clare Frisby, and will be attended by local dignitaries and educationalists including chair of the awards panel for the North, Jean Heslop, Teaching Awards CEO David Hanson and trustee Barry Cooke.

Winners will be announced in ten categories, including outstanding new teacher, primary school teacher, secondary school teacher and awards for innovation and school leadership.

Regional winners will receive £2,000 in a grant for their school plus £1,000 worth of ICT equipment.

They will be invited to attend the Teaching Awards 2004 national ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, 24 October, and will be televised by the BBC in November.

National winners will get a further £13,000 plus £10,000 worth of ICT equipment.

Nominations for next years' teaching award can be submitted at www.teachingawards.com.

Updated: 08:34 Wednesday, May 26, 2004