A TEACHING assistant nominated by the University of Chester has won a prestigious national award.

Kerry Bowie, from the Arches Primary School in Chester, has been awarded the North West Region Outstanding Higher Level Teaching Assistant of the Year 2010-2011.

Kerry obtained her HLTA qualification at the university and was nominated for the positive effect she has had on pupils in raising their self-esteem and academic achievement levels.

The awards ceremony was held at Headingley Arena in Leeds and all those short-listed were invited.

The competition was organised by Carnegie Leaders in Learning, a partnership between Leeds Metropolitan University and CCDU Ltd.

Margaret White, senior lecturer and HLTA preparation manager at the university of Chester and Elaine Speakman, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s integrated workforce development manager, Arches headteacher Michelle Ashfield, Kerry’s mentor and class teacher Kath Shepherd and Carol Jones, chair of Governors at the Arches, attended the event.

Kerry said: “I can’t put into words how I felt when my name was announced. It was like a dream. I only do it for the children - which is my catchphrase!”

Margaret, who first recognised the potential in Kerry, said: “When I nominated Kerry for the award, I was confident she could win.

“Kerry epitomises my belief that ‘the sky’s the limit’ for teaching assistants who are nurtured by the university to achieve HLTA status.”

Following her qualification, Kerry has taken the role of primary link teacher for PE at The Arches in Blacon, involving working with the local high school and feeder schools to promote sport.