THREE West Devon teachers have scooped top honours at this year's South West Teaching Awards at a ceremony held last Thursday.

Pupils, parents and colleagues attended the awards evening, which was hosted by BBC presenter Justin Leigh at Dartington Hall in Totnes.

The award for enterprise went to Okehampton College physics teacher Keith Webber, who has been heavily involved in the college and in the Okehampton learning community.

Mr Webber has helped organise adult education courses and raise money for energy efficiency and new technology.

His continuous hard work and dedication to the college has helped secure the future installation of solar panels and more efficient heating systems and controls, as well as the installation of an internet-based dashboard to monitor energy consumption.

Mr Webber has also replaced 3,000 light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs, which is expected to save £40,000 on energy costs each year.

Mr Webber said the award was really for the college.

He said: 'There are an awful lot of people at Okehampton College who do a lot of useful and fantastic things — it's not just me.

'I was quite surprised to win and I would like to thank a number of parents, staff and pupils who said some very nice things about me.'

Another award for the college went to the chairman of governors, Ian Courtney, who won the governor of the year award. Mr Courtney, who has been a governor for ten years and chairman for four years, said he wasn't expecting to win the award.

He said: 'I have always been involved in training and education. I believe it is absolutely central.

'Whenever the governing body gets caught up in finance or policy or politics, I always bring them back to what we are there for — ultimately it's about the kids.'

Shebbear Community School teacher, Lois Gough, also won an award a the ceremony, taking home the primary teacher of the year award.

Mrs Gough, who has been a teacher at the school for six years, said she was surprised and pleased to win.

She said: 'We are a small school with a real family feel at the heart of the community and I am lucky to work with very supportive colleagues.'

Devon's director of children and young people's services, Anne Whiteley, said the awards were a real tribute to the quality of staff at schools and colleges in Devon in all sectors.

She said: 'We have excellent school leaders across the county but, to ensure that all our children receive a high quality education, they have to have the backing of high quality teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and governors.

'I want to congratulate everyone who was honoured.'

The winning teachers each received a Plato, the teaching awards symbol of excellence in education, and go forward to the televised UK ceremony held in London in October.