THERE was jubilation at Lydney C of E Primary School this week when teacher Carol Knight was named BT Primary School Teacher of the Year.

The award ceremony took place at Bath's Assembly Rooms last week – Carol was among 'the very best' of the West's teachers and teaching assistants nominated for the honours.

Besides her award she wins a prize package which includes a £2,000 cash grant and £1,000-worth of the latest ITC equipment for her school.

BT's judges praised Carol in a testimony released after the awards.

"Carol is an exceptional person, and obviously greatly valued by all her colleagues, parents and the children in her class. When our judges went to make their assessment, there was an absolute paean of praise for her in every aspect of her work and role as deputy head teacher," they said.

"This was a genuine display of affection and regard for the many talents she displays and brings to the work of the school in a relatively isolated part of the country.

"An outside researcher from the nearby university spoke of the 'extent to which the children' at Carol's school 'operated as autonomous learners and how careful, considerate and supportive they were of each other.'

"Children don't just arrive feeling positive about school and learning able to handle relationships and work together."

"There isn't even one lesson I don't like," said a pupil, summing up the feelings of the whole class.

"She is one in a million," said a parent.

"She has always got time for the children in her care and their parents. The children are eager to learn for themselves. The way she teaches means she gets the best from the children. Our school is a better place to learn and play because of her. She is a treasure."