Kelly Steeples was named Outstanding New Teacher of the Year at the 2010 Teaching Awards on Sunday (October 31) at London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Judges said the 25-year-old’s highly creative lessons at Southdale CofE Junior School in Ossett, West Yorkshire, gave them “goosebumps”.

The Year 6 teacher and assistant head has been known to transform her class into a scene from the film Avatar, painting her pupils’ faces - and her own - blue.

A semi-professional dancer, Ms Steeples received her “Plato” award from Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood.

Visit www.teaching awards.com for the full list of 2010 winners.

TES Schools Awards, pages 26-27.