REKHA Bhakoo, head of Newton Farm Nursery and First and Middle Schools in South Harrow, has been named Teacher of the Year in the Leadership and Diversity Awards organised by the magazine Garavi Gujarat.

The award, made to a teacher from an ethnic minority for exceptional work in "enhancing the learning process" was presented to her by schools secretary Stephen Twigg at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Rekha started her career as a teacher in the borough 19 years ago and has been headteacher at Newton Farm for over 10 years. Under her leadership, the school in Ravenswood Crescent has won numerous awards including Government School Achievement awards three years running from 2001.

Rekha said: "I was surprised and delighted to be acknowledged."

Shailesh Solanki, the organiser of the awards, said they provided a "marvellous snapshot of just how integrated members of ethnic communities are in the life of contemporary Britain".

"Rekha Bhakoo shows the value of ethnic minorities to education in Britain and is fine example of leadership by example," she said.

"Rekha joined other winners from politics, the law, medicine, business, sport, the public services and the media whose contributions are as wide ranging as our society is diverse."