TWO Craven teachers have won £500 for their schools after reaching the regional finals of a groundbreaking new awards scheme.

Hellifield Primary School's Lindsey Maclachlan and Carleton's Sarah Magill were selected from hundreds of entrants throughout the North of England as finalists in the 1999 Teaching Awards.

Every school throughout the region was invited to participate in the awards, designed to highlight excellence and encourage best practice.

The finalists were nominated by the entire school community.

While Lindsey and Sarah were not among the eventual winners, each has been awarded £500 for their school for getting through to the final.

Lindsey, who was nominated for best new teacher, said: "The governors at the school nominated me and sent off comments from parents and staff to the awards. The judges then visited me and saw me teaching.

"I was very pleased and flattered. But the job that I do could not be done without the support of the rest of the staff."

Fellow finalist Sarah has been a teacher for more than 20 years and has been at Carleton Endowed School for the past 11. She was nominated as primary school teacher of the year.

"It was a great surprise at the beginning but it is very nice to be recognised by your friends and colleagues," she said.

The school has presented her with a memory album, containing pupils' stories and pictures of their favourite teacher.

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