DEDICATION, hard work and a passion for bringing out the best in children has earned a Yorkshire Dales teaching assistant a place at the Teaching Awards finals.

Amanda Taylor is a favourite with pupils and teachers alike at Threshfield primary school and is especially respected for the support she gives to children who need help with social and behavioural development.

Amanda was nominated by the school's staff in the Teaching Assistant of the Year category and will attend the North of England ceremony in Sheffield as a regional finalist tomorrow (June 19th).

Pam Hall, a senior teacher at Threshfield said: "Amanda is tremendously hard working and puts in time above and beyond the call of duty because she wants the very best for children and because results matter to her."

Amanda is one of two nominees from North Yorkshire who will attend the North of England finals in Sheffield on Friday. The other, Anne Perry, who is chair of governors at Hambleton Church of England primary, Selby, has been nominated for the Governor of the Year award.

Amanda and Anne are among 417 finalists attending 13 awards ceremonies across the UK. There will be 146 winners in 12 categories for headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants, governors and sustainable schools. Each will go forward to the UK finals held in London in October and televised on BBC2.