Monthly news - and the winner is...

Founded by Lord Puttnam in 1998 to focus on the strengths and successes of educators, the Teaching Awards have grown over the last decade to become one of the highlights of the industry's calendar.

This year's event was made up of 13 summer ceremonies – ranging in location from Belfast to Cardiff – and brought a record number of nominations (an impressive 8,409 in total!) for each of the award categories.

For newcomers to teaching, one of the most anticipated of these categories is the TDA sponsored Teaching Assistant Award – and following on from the regional summer events, 11 individuals have been crowned the top of their profession in this group. These winners, who will now go forward to the national this month screened on BBC Two, represent everything a great teaching assistant should be – just ask their pupils and colleagues.

Lorraine Eyre-Walker, winner of the East of England category and teaching assistant at Hillside School, Brighton, is described as "a wonderful advocate for children who is always pushing the boundaries for them to achieve the best."

Marilyn West, winner of the South of England category and teaching assistant with learning disabled students at Stocklake Park School, Aylesbury, is described by the school's assistant head as someone who has "personally enabled students with tremendous barriers to learning and achievement, rise to the challenge and celebrate success."

Sarah Buckham, winner of the North East and Cumbria category and teaching assistant and PE technician at Churchill Community College, Wallsend, has her accolades from the pupils; "She's lively, helpful and kind, and never moody," says one. "You can always talk to her about anything. She's always reliable and makes us laugh a lot!"