THE head teacher of a Walney primary school is one step closer to achieving a major national award.

Paul Slater is headteacher at North Walney Primary School and is one of 68 silver award winners shortlisted in the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards.

He is also only one of three candidates up for the title of ‘Headteacher of the Year’ at the 'Oscars for teachers'.

Mr Slater was selected from thousands of nominations and was presented with his award on ‘Thank A Teacher Day’.

“It is truly humbling to be acknowledged in this way by the staff, parents, governors, pupils and the whole community of our school,” said Mr Slater.

“Being a headteacher is an honour and a privilege.

“I have loved every minute of my job since I started in 1992 and this award, even if I don’t become the overall winner, is an accolade to everyone who has helped me on my own educational journey.”

He is also head teacher at Trumacar Primary School, in Heysham.

From September, he will be taking on an additional role as chief executive officer for The Queen Katherine Multi Academy Trust, which consists of The Queen Katherine School in Kendal, Walney School and George Hastwell Special School, in Barrow.

Mr Slater, who lives at Levens, has been invited to the House of Commons for a special tea.

He will also attend a celebration evening in October which will be shown on BBC2 – “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”.

The Pearson Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact a teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.