Kim BriscoeA city headteacher who has turned around the fortunes of his school has been shortlisted for a teaching award.Kim Briscoe

A city headteacher who has turned around the fortunes of his school has been shortlisted for a teaching award.

When Tony Hull joined Costessey Junior School eight years ago it had been deemed by inspectors to be failing and had been placed in special measures.

At its last inspection inspectors said the Three Mile Lane school was good with many outstanding features and 'poised to become even better'.

And last May the school was awarded National Support School status, which means Mr Hull and staff can offer support, advice, guidance and coaching to other schools.

Mr Hull, who is also currently partnership headteacher at West Earlham Junior School, has now been short-listed for a Teaching Award in the East of England's Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School category.

He said: 'We are absolutely delighted, and I say we, because while it's my name up for the award this is a celebration of what all the school has achieved over a number of years and which has been thoroughly deserved.'

Mr Hull, who has helped three of his deputy headteachers on to headships, was nominated by his then deputy Sheila Greenacre, who at Easter took up a post as headteacher of Wicklewood Primary School, near Wymondham.

She said: 'Tony is a good head and the results speak for themselves. He has managed to bring three schools out of special measures very quickly.'

Mr Hull he felt a good headteacher had to be optimistic, energetic and be in relentless pursuit of getting every last bit right, all the time.

Also nominated an award is teaching assistant Nina Robinson, who works in the technology department at Oriel High School, in Gorleston.

Naomi Palmer, acting headteacher of Oriel, said: 'Nina has worked extremely hard to establish really positive and productive relationships with our learning community. Students speak very highly of her determination to encourage and support them in attaining top grades and her colleagues in the technology faculty value her highly.

'I am so proud that Nina has reached this stage of the Teaching Awards - it's testament to her hard work and dedication to our young people.'

Do you have a story about an outstanding teacher? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.