Corsham Primary School is celebrating after headteacher Gina Cooke picked up a prestigious award.

Mrs Cooke, head at the school’s Pound Pill site, won the National College Award for Outstanding Head of School at a conference of education leaders.

She collected the accolade from former Labour Education Secretary Estelle Morris in front of 1,800 heads, deputies and other school leaders at the ceremony in Birmingham.

Mrs Cooke, who lives in Melksham and started working at the school in 1998, said: “It was a complete surprise because my colleagues nominated me and I didn’t know anything about it. I was told about it just two days before.

“I am very privileged because I work with a fantastic team and it was their way of recognising my contribution to the team effort.

“The day was great. There were a lot of people there and a big stage to walk on to, I felt very proud.”

Mrs Cooke is one of 90 staff at the 560-pupil school. The former Box Highlands School amalgamated with Corsham Primary to form the Broadwood site, at Broadwood Avenue and Mrs Cooke has been credited with helping oversee that transitional period.

Executive headteacher Fiona Allen said: “We could never have completed what has been a remarkably successful journey without Gina’s influence and dedication.

“Gina was totally committed to the challenges we faced. Her sense of purpose and vision never faltered and is a real compliment to her resilience as a leader.”

Children at the school were told about Mrs Cooke’s success during an assembly and were said to have given her a round of applause and cheers.

The school has also had its commitment to arts education recognised by an award from the Arts Council for England.

The Artsmark Gold award was handed to the school for the third time for its provisions of art, music and drama. Mrs Allen added: “We are really proud that the school has been recognised.”