AN outstanding teacher from Worcestershire is this week celebrating after being crowned headteacher of the year.

Liz Quinn, head of Stourport High School and Sixth Form Centre, was yesterday told she was among the 12 winners at the 2009 Teaching Awards UK ceremony at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.

Miss Quinn, who picked up the 2009 Royal Air Force Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School, was chosen after being noted for being a hugely respected, feisty and popular leader of an outstanding school who was nominated for her award by an 11-year-old pupil.

Two years ago the school almost doubled in size, due to a local re-organisation, and Miss Quinn worked tirelessly to manage the upheaval for staff and students.

She was also chosen because she has instilled a sense of pride, belief and achievement, raising student aspirations way beyond the norm and believes that every child can succeed.

She has previously said: “We’re not an exam factory. I wanted to recognise that kids have a heart and need passion to do what we’re doing.”

School leadership runs in her family as her husband and sister are both headteachers in the West Midlands. At the award ceremony, Miss Quinn received a gold plate – a symbol of excellence in education – in front of a 2,000-strong theatre audience. UK judges have chosen 12 gold plate winners for 2009 out of 150 who received silver plates in ceremonies around Britain this summer.

The Teaching Awards UK ceremony was hosted by celebrity presenters Christine Bleakley and Jeremy Vine.

All 150 winners from around Britain are now 2009 Teaching Awards fellows.

Part of their prize was an all-expenses-paid weekend for two in London with a guest at a luxury hotel next to the Tower of London and a special gala dinner after the UK ceremony.