A dance and drama teacher has been named Activist of the Year for promoting the cause of colleagues in a profession she calls “isolating”.

Tamsin Clube, from Stevenage, received the Eamonn O’Kane Young Activist of the Year award from Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Tristram Hunt, at the annual conference of the NASUWT - the UK’s largest teachers’ union - in Birmingham.

The award was established in memory of the late NASUWT general secretary Eamonn O’Kane.

Ms Clube, 29, is the NASUWT representative at her school in Welwyn Garden City and is also active in promoting the cause of teachers and the NASUWT in the area.

She said: “It’s an enormous honour to be recognised in this way.

“I think it is absolutely vital for young teachers to benefit from the support and collegiality which the NASUWT provides.

“Teaching can sometimes be quite isolating and I have found the shared experience, professional expertise and guidance from other teachers absolutely vital in my career.

“I would love to use the recognition of this award to help recruit more young teachers into the union.”

Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: “This is the 10th anniversary of the award and Tamsin is a worthy winner.

“Young teachers are the future of the teaching profession and lifeblood of the trade union movement.

“At a time when teachers and trade unionists are all too often subjected to unjustified and negative comments, it is important to celebrate the excellent work they do.”