A TEACHER who virtually built up a special needs department from scratch in just two years has been honoured with a top regional award.

Julie Levy, head of special needs at Westleigh High, received the prize for excellence in special needs teaching in a secondary school in the North West, at the National Teaching Awards ceremony held in Liverpool.

Mrs Levy, now in her 20th year of teaching, was nominated for the award by Westleigh High head John Pout.

She said: "I was shocked. I did not expect this. It is such a great honour and I don't feel worthy of it. Mr Pout put my name forward. He has been most supportive and has given me a lot of freedom to develop the department."

Mrs Levy joined Westleigh two years ago. At the school 270 of the 750 students are classed as having special educational needs.

When she arrived the school had not had a special educational needs co-ordinator for some time. Mrs Levy had to first of all establish a department and then expand it.

Mrs Levy runs a learning support unit in the school which helps children with behavioural difficulties. She has also established a new year seven class which includes vulnerable children.