A TEACHER from Hartford received a distinction in the National Teaching Awards. Kathryn Figg, a Year 4 teacher at Hartford Junior School, was nominated for the Becta Next Generation Learning prize, which recognises innovative teaching in ICT. Becta (Brit

A TEACHER from Hartford received a distinction in the National Teaching Awards.

Kathryn Figg, a Year 4 teacher at Hartford Junior School, was nominated for the Becta Next Generation Learning prize, which recognises innovative teaching in ICT.

Becta (British Educational Communication and Technology Agency) is a government body which promotes IT teaching in schools.

Mrs Figg was invited to the Eastern of England finals of the National Teaching Awards in Norwich this month.

She was narrowly beaten to the top award, the silver plato, but her excellence was recognised with a distinction award.

Miss Figg was nominated by a member of the school's friends committee for her work in enthusing pupils in ICT. She was then inspected by the competition judges, who observed lessons, and spoke to pupils and teachers.

Headteacher Mim Piper said Miss Figg's nomination was well deserved.

"She has been inspirational- she has really moved forward ICT and technology teaching at the school.

"The children respond to her, and the innovative and imaginative techniques she uses," she said.

Miss Figg was the only primary school teacher on the shortlist, competing against secondary school teachers who teach ICT full-time.

"For Miss Figg to be nominated for her work at a primary school is just fantastic," added Mrs Piper.

Miss Figg has set up the school website, and initiated after-school classes which offer parents the chance to use the school's ICT equipment with their children.

Miss Figg has also helped pupils prepare entries for a short film competition organised by Cambridgeshire County Council, using stop-motion animation technology.

Year 3 and 4 pupils have written and animated a "History Mystery", while pupils from Year 5 and 6 have made a series of "How To..." films. The results are being judged at the moment, and the results will be announced at the end of the summer term.

Caption: TOP IT TEACHER: Kathryn Figg with some of her pupils. Picture HELEN DRAKE 5123 HD0609