New teacher named best in Britain

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An Edinburgh woman has won the title of outstanding new teacher in Britain.

Susan Ward, who teaches at the city's Juniper Green Primary School, was presented with a gold plato at a ceremony in London on Sunday.

The Teaching Awards, which were established by Lord Puttnam in 1998, are open to every school in the UK.

Ms Ward, formerly an advertising executive, was praised for her imaginative teaching methods featuring puppets, music and song.

In only her first year of teaching, Ms Ward's class finished the academic year well ahead on several levels.

Education Minister Peter Peacock said she had done "brilliantly well".

"Her hard work and dedication typify the quality of our new teachers and it is great that this has been recognised in this way," he said.

"She is an inspiration to everyone working to make Scottish education excellent and I join with her pupils, colleagues, community and family in celebrating her success."