A TEACHER in Yelverton will travel to London this weekend, where she could be named a national winner.

Julie Curtis, deputy head teacher at St Andrew's Church of England Aided School, Buckland Monachorum has already been named primary school teacher of the year for the South-West.

As a regional winner, Julie will attend the awards ceremony at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, this Sunday where she could be declared national winner.

The nine finalists from the South West became South West Teaching Awards winners at a ceremony held in Plymouth in June. As regional winners, they received a £2,000 grant, plus £1,000 worth of ICT equipment for their schools. If successful on the night, the value of the prizes to their schools will be increased to £25,000.

Julie was nominated for the BT Teacher of the Year award for the South West primary school category by colleagues at the school who compiled a glowing citation for the judges.

'The citation described her lessons as 'both innovative and creative'.

She was also described as a motivator of children and teachers, who enjoyed sport and was skilled at incorporating IT into different subject areas.

The citation also contained praise from Julie's pupils. 'The whole class knows for a fact that she is the most exciting, enthusiastic and committed teacher that we have ever come across,' wrote one pupil.

Julie has been a teacher for 17 years, and has been at St. Andrews for the last four years.

The Teaching Awards 2001 will be hosted by Carol Smillie, and awards will be presented by Michael Parkinson, Joanna Lumley and Sol Campbell.

Highlights of the awards ceremony will be broadcast on BBC1 on Sunday, November 4.