A SPECIAL needs teacher from Marlow could win the chance to influence national education policies if she is crowned top of her profession at a regional Teaching Awards Trust ceremony in July.

Sheona Jones is a special needs co-ordinator at Great Marlow School, in Bobmore Lane. She is one of only four candidates from across the whole of the South who have been shortlisted for the Secondary School Special Needs Teacher of the Year.

If she wins she will be given the chance to regularly contribute to the Guardian Education section and be invited to contribute education material for national radio and television programmes too. In addition the winners are regularly called upon by the Department for Education and Skills to advise on national education policies and strategies.

The winners also receive up to £3,000 worth of computer and learning equipment for the school and are invited on a training weekend to promote foreign exchanges and develop leadership skills.

Mrs Jones said she felt very humbled to have been nominated and put her success down to the support she has received from other members of staff.

Mrs Jones leads a team of ten learning support professionals and has introduced a series of behaviour management classes for pupils including gardening projects and art therapy, to teach pupils team work and socialisation skills.

She works in a fun practical way with the aim of boosting children's self esteem and making them feel valued and included members of the school.

The Barnhill Garden's resident from Marlow joined the school 18 years ago as a part-time classroom teacher. She was quickly promoted to head of year and decided four years ago that she wanted a new challenge. She took on her present role with the aim of raising the profile of the many special needs pupils at the school.

Nominator, Linton Nash, Great Marlow deputy head said: "She is an amazing teacher and leader and thoroughly deserves to win."

The teaching award judging takes place at a ceremony in Winchester Guildhall on July 4.