THE head of a Kidderminster school is in the running for a national title.

David Seddon, principal of Baxter College, is one of three finalists in the Nothing is Impossible category of the 2005 Public Servants of the Year Awards.

He has already beaten off the challenge of 180 rivals to make the final trio.

The awards are intended to recognise and reward the commitment and determination of teams and individuals working in the public sector.

The category Mr Seddon has been shortlisted in is for managers who have successfully turned around the fortunes of their organisations.

He revitalised Baxter College - which had been faced with closure - within a year of being appointed principal in 2003.

Evidence of the dramatic improvement included filling staff vacancies and the implementation of 19 separate building projects over the school's summer holidays.

Mr Seddon has been involved in education for 32 years. His latest award nomination follows his success last year, when he earned the title of 2004 West Midlands Headteacher of the Year.

Mr Seddon's category nomination also makes him a contender for the overall Outstanding Public Servant of the Year Award, to be announced during a gala ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Thursday, April 21.

The event will be hosted by Dermot Murnaghan, of BBC Breakfast, and ITN newsreader, Mary Nightingale.

Speakers will include Sir Andrew Turnbull, Cabinet Secretary and head of the Home Civil Service.

Mr Seddon said: "I feel deeply honoured but very humble to be considered worthy of such a prestigious award when doing no more than what I have always striven to do and that is to represent the best interests of young people.

"However, credit must be given to the outstanding Baxter teams, consisting of staff, governors, parents and students that have worked together to bring about such a transformation.

"I am also fortunate to work in an LEA that has realised our plight and has been so supportive.

"If I am fortunate enough to receive the award of turnaround manager it would be a worthy acknowledgement of everyone's efforts."

Mr Seddon's category rivals are from West Sussex and the London Borough of Richmond.