A TEACHER who has spent nearly four decades teaching youngsters with special needs has won a prestigious award for the profession.

Sue Jay from Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee School in Horsham was given the award for excellence in special needs education.

Mrs Jay has been teaching children and young adults with complex needs for 37 years.

Her school was the first special school to enter the National Rock Challenge Dance competition, and it was later asked to perform at a national dance teachers’ conference.

She also introduced Shakespeare to senior students and entered them into a Shakespeare Schools Festival.

The school’s production of Twelfth Night was chosen as one of three nationally to perform in the West End.

Mrs Jay received the accolade at the Pearson Teaching Awards on Sunday.

Children’s author Michael Morpurgo, the new president of the awards, said: “Teachers are the quiet heroes. By telling their stories, by highlighting their skill and dedication, we can do some justice to them and to the whole profession.

“We hope to enhance the reputation and value of the teachers in our lives.”