Mrs Duncan was among the award winners from the 'Class of 2009' of the National Teaching Awards to be invited to a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street on 3rd November. Gordon Brown hosted a reception for the gold Plato winners and around half the silver Plato winners from this year's cohort of brilliant professionals. Mrs Duncan was invited as one of the 3 finalists for the Headteacher of the Year, having won the award for the South East of England.

Congratulating his guests, the Prime Minister acknowledged their 'absolutely crucial' contribution to society. 'Please take the message back to your schools that we want to thank you for what you do,' he said.

'You make a huge contribution to society. No young person ever forgets the influence that a teacher has on them. That's why you're so important to the future of our country.'

Education Secretary Ed Balls who was also present said: 'In the end the thing that transforms life chances is what great teachers, teaching assistants and headteachers make possible in the classroom.

'That's why you're being celebrated with these awards. It's because you are the people doing it best in the country. Congratulations, thank you and keep it up.'

 

Louise Duncan winner of the RAF Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the South East said: 'It was incredible really - from walking up Downing Street to meeting the Prime Minister. We were there for one and a half hours and they let us look at what we wanted. I saw the Cabinet room and when I looked in the garden and saw the trampoline it really hit home that it was a family house as well as the centre of power.' She was accompanied to the Reception by Mrs Louise Hirst, Chair of Governors.

Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards said: 'Teachers and all those associated with the Class of 2009 have been well and truly celebrated in recent days. The Prime Minister's reception at Downing Street was an honour and a thrill that we shall never forget.'

Mrs Duncan said "it was a huge compliment to be recognised, not only for me but for the school as well. I'm very lucky to work at Sunbury Manor - it is a special place and this award is for all the staff and pupils who make it happen. I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be."