Christine Emmett, who has been teaching at St Elizabeth’s Primary School in Hamilton for 27 years, was presented with the award at a ceremony in London on Sunday 30th October 2011.

After receiving a warm greeting from pupils and parents on her return to St Elizabeth’s , Ms Emmett returned to London today, where she was set to enjoy tea with Prime Minister David Cameron.

“I am absolutely thrilled with this award and am stunned and surprised to have won and I am truly humbled,” Ms Emmett said. “Although this has been a fantastic experience, I am keen to get back to the classroom and show the trophy off.”

Nominated for the award by one of her own pupils, Ms Emmett, who teaches P3/4 at St Elizabeth’s, won the Scottish Teacher of the Year Award in June and judges visited the school a further two times to watch Ms Emmett at work.

They were impressed with her practical approach to teaching that has seen her invite a cake shop owner into the classroom to explain to pupils how weights and measurements work as well as a car salesman to the school to help children with maths.

St Elizabeth’s headteacher Elizabeth Bradshaw, who accompanied her colleague to London on Sunday, was delighted to see Ms Emmett win the award.

“The award is well deserved,” Ms Bradshaw said. “Christine is inexhaustible and she is such a great colleague. Everybody in the whole community is delighted for her.”