A TEACHER from Crediton has been honoured for her efforts in the classroom at a presentation evening at the House of Commons.

Ruth Dixon of Hayward’s Primary School attended the reception to celebrate winning a 2014 Pearson Teaching Award.

The awards honoured teachers from across the UK who won a Silver Teaching Award.

She won her trophy in the Teacher of the Year in a Primary School category after being shortlisted from a record number of more than 20,000 nominations made by pupils past and present, parents and colleagues.

She will now join 59 fellow Silver Award winners at the UK final of the Teaching Awards at the Guildhall in London on October 26, where 11 silver award winners will receive a gold award.

The BBC will film and broadcast the ceremony.

Rod Bristow, president of core markets at Pearson, said: ““Everyone can remember a teacher who inspired and challenged them, so it’s important to say thank you.

“It is great teaching that makes the biggest difference to learning and that’s why great teachers must be recognised.”