An MP is calling on people to nominate top teachers for awards.

Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, is urging people to nominate teachers in the area for this year’s London Teacher of the Year Awards.

Organised by educational charity Inspire Schools, the awards recognise school staff’s expertise, dedication and contribution to the community.

Last year, Stephen Sadler from East Barnet School was named best science, technology, engineering and maths teacher in the borough.

Ms Villiers said: “Anyone can nominate a teacher for these awards, and I hope local people here in Barnet will do just that so the excellent teaching in our schools can be celebrated and honoured.

“It was a pleasure to meet Stephen Sadler last year at a Westminster reception for winners of the awards and it was clear he was a talented and dedicated teacher in an important set of subjects. It was great that he had been nominated for the award by the students he inspired.”

There are separate categories for primary and secondary education and for school leaders, senior and newly qualified teachers, support staff and volunteers.

Judges will select winners at the city-wide level as well as for Barnet and London’s other boroughs and will be announced at a ceremony in June at the British Airways Headquarters, Heathrow.

Nominations can be submitted at www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/awards/teacher-of-the-year/. The deadline for nominations March 1.