A PRIMARY school teacher with 31 years’ experience is in the running to be named one of Britain’s Classroom Heroes 2017 at a prestigious awards event.

Mark Thomas, who retired from Parish CE Primary School last summer, has been invited to attend the UK grand finale of the Pearson Teaching Awards this Sunday, October 22 after being nominated for the Gold Plato Award accolade by pupils, parents and colleagues.

This follows him receiving one of just 56 Silver Teaching Awards in June, for his exceptional contribution to the teaching profession including 10 spent at deputy head teacher.

Mark will attend a glittering awards ceremony at The East Wintergarden, London, which will be hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty and Countryfile's Sean Fletcher, and broadcast on BBC TWO at 6pm on Sunday, October 29, as Britain’s Classroom Heroes.

Eleven Gold Plato awards will be presented across categories such as Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School, Excellence in Special Needs Education and Lifetime Achievement.

Michael Morpurgo, Children’s Author and President of the Pearson’s Teaching Awards said: “Teachers are the quiet heroes. By telling their stories, by highlighting their skill and dedication, we can do some justice to them and to the whole profession.

“Through the Teaching Awards, we hope to enhance the reputation and value of the teachers in our lives, their importance in our society, and thus help to encourage the most talented and committed young people to become teachers.”

Parents and students can recognise and thank the teachers who are making a difference by visiting teachingawards.com/thank-a-teacher, which will nominate them for next year’s awards.