HEAD teachers at secondary schools in England have come into the spotlight after the success of the Educating Essex and Educating Yorkshire documentaries.

The programmes have put a spotlight on the challenges faced by teachers, the unruly behaviour of their pupils as well as stories involving personal hardships.

Jenny Smith, 41, head teacher at the East End’s Frederick Bremer School, said she commanded respect in a number of ways, despite not having the ‘natural authority’ of a male head.

She said: “I think it’s a tremendous asset having a strong female team in a school. It’s brilliant for our kids to have strong female role models.”

Our Secondary Head Teacher of the Year award aims to recognise these qualities and more.

Nominations can come from school staff, governors, parents, pupils themselves or anyone else who believes they know a head teacher who deserves this recognition.

It’s about inspirational leadership and the ability to produce a school where people care and which buzzes with enthusiasm, community and achievement .

Successful heads are those woven into the fabric of the local community, who don’t just clock out when they leave the school grounds, and who have the success of both the school, pupils and its staff in mind at all times.

Sue Taylor, principal at Accrington and Rossendale College, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Secondary Head Teacher of the Year award again this year.

“Head teachers are often the unsung heroes, who work tirelessly to provide the best possible opportunities for our young people.

“We have some fantastic schools in Lancashire, led by strong heads with vision, ambition and the highest possible aspirations for their pupils .”