Award presented to new teacher

Doing work outside of the classroom has paid of for newly qualified teacher (NQT) Carla Powell.

A member of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), she has been awarded for her work with NQTs like herself.

She will be presented with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) award for National Young Activist.

Apart from contributing regularly to the union's publications, she also sits on the ATL Future committee, with the opportunity to represent the views of fellow new teachers.

"I've gained skills which I will be able to apply in my job as a teacher and have made a lot of good friends," Ms Powell stated.

The NQT has also won praise from the general secretary of ATL, Dr Mary Bousted, who said she would like others to follow in the winner's footsteps.

Ms Powell will be presented with the award at the TUC conference in Brighton, which continues until tomorrow.