AN inspirational Walton headteacher has progressed to the televised teaching awards ceremony after clinching a silver gong.

Hamford Primary Academy principal Benedick Ashmore-Short was nominated for the best primary school headteacher prize at the national Pearson Teaching Awards.

Mr Ashmore-Short was picked from thousands of entries to become a finalist in the category.

He has now been named a silver award winner and will progress to the televised teaching awards ceremony.

He will be up against two other headteachers for the top prize of being named primary head of the year.

Mr Ashmore-Short said: “It feels quite amazing.

“It was a privilege to be a finalist and to make it to the last three in my category is a great honour."

Mr Ashmore-Short was nominated after inspiring a major turnaround at Hamford.

The teaching awards ceremony will take place on October 26 and will air live on BBC2.