TWO Dorset teachers have been hailed top of the class at a coveted ceremony celebrating the best in the profession in the south of England.

Helen Boyce, headteacher at Frome Valley First School in Crossways, and teaching assistant Jane Taylor, of Weymouth’s Budmouth Technology College, were honoured at the Teaching Awards finals in Winchester.

Mrs Boyce won southern area primary school headteacher of the year, while Mrs Taylor scooped the top award for teaching assistant in the south.

The pair beat off stiff competition from hundreds of hopefuls at schools across the region.

Television presenter Sally Taylor presented them with trophies at the plush ceremony in Winchester Guildhall on Wednesday.

Nine other winners also picked up awards, much to the delight of the 250-strong audience.

Mrs Boyce, who was nominated by an anonymous former pupil, said: “I was very pleased and proud. But I have told the school that it doesn’t matter how many good ideas you have, if you haven’t got a good team around you. So this award is as much for them as it is for me.”

Mrs Boyce, who has been head at the school for 10 years, paid particular thanks to her deputy Julie Thorp.

Meanwhile, fellow winner Mrs Taylor said: “I would like to say a huge thank-you to all of the students – they are an inspiration.

“This is for all those hard-working teaching assistants out there.”

Each winner received a Plato, the Teaching Awards symbol of excellence in education.

Teaching Awards chief executive Caroline Evans said: “I am delighted to congratulate all our award- winners who deserve every bit of praise and applause.

“They are real heroes among their colleagues, pupils and parents and now the wider world knows what a difference they make.

“Hundreds of outstanding people in the south of England have been thanked for the excellent job they do, day in, day out.

“I am really looking forward to meeting the class of 2009 at the UK event this autumn.”

Steve Munby, chief executive the National College for School Leadership – one the award sponsors – said: “Every year the teaching awards show us the inspiring work being done by school leaders all over the country. It’s a challenging job and these award-winners show us how rewarding it can be and give a shining example to the next generation of school leaders.”