A Hitchin teacher has been named the best primary school teacher in the UK. Steve Mills, deputy head at William Ransom Primary School in Hitchin, was last night given the BT Award For Teacher Of The Year In A Primary School at the UK Teaching Awards at t

A Hitchin teacher has been named the best primary school teacher in the UK.

Steve Mills, deputy head at William Ransom Primary School in Hitchin, was last night given the BT Award For Teacher Of The Year In A Primary School at the UK Teaching Awards at the Theatre Royal in London.

The 40-year-old received a gold 'Plato' before a 2,000 strong audience in the theatre and thousands more live on BBC2 at the event which recognises the most outstanding teachers across Great Britain.

Steve said he had two mottos for teaching: "imagination is the preview of life's coming attractions," and "the harder you work, the luckier you get."

Headteacher at the school, Mary Driver, said: "It really is the pinnacle. There's no-one so deserving. He's one of those teachers who goes above and beyond. His philosophy is if you teach children you give them the information to make their own choices. He includes everyone in what he does.