A YORK teacher has been given the award for outstanding new teacher in the regional heats of the National Teaching Awards 2003.

Paul Offord, from Joseph Rowntree School, will travel to London later this year for the finals of the prestigious awards, which will be shown on television.

The announcement was made at an regional ceremony held at All Saints' College, in Leeds, on Friday.

Paul, 24, who has been at the school for two years, was nominated by pupil Alex Parrott.

He said: "I was shocked and surprised to have been nominated and was deeply touched by the nomination from Alex.

"I accepted the award on behalf of all the extremely hard-working teachers in the north of England.

"I could not have wished for a better school for my first job. The staff are outstanding and are so supportive."

Deputy head at the school, David Selby, said: "The school is delighted and it does reflect on the quality of the work that Paul does with his classes - he is an outstanding new teacher."

Paul Keogh, from King James's School, in Knaresborough, also reached the finals in the teacher of the year in the secondary school category. Both teachers received a £2,000 cash grant for their schools along with £1,000 worth of ICT equipment. If they are winners at the national awards they will receive a further £13,000 cash grant for the school and £10,000 worth of ICT equipment - bringing the total value of their prize to £25,000.

The national finals will be take place on Sunday, October 26, and will be broadcast on BBC1.

Updated: 10:35 Monday, June 16, 2003