BARRY Cooke's constant smile, high expectations, hard work and belief in his pupils have become legendary in his 21 years as a headteacher.

He knows the names of all 1,100 pupils at Hyde Technology School, Tameside, e-mails governors in the early hours of the morning and telephones parents just to let them know their children are doing well.

Last night his commitment was recognised with an Award for Lifetime Achievement, which was presented by chat show host Michael Parkinson during a glittering Teaching Awards ceremony in London.

''I am absolutely delighted with the award,'' said Mr Cooke, 59, from Prestbury, who retires in December.

Refurbish

''It means a great deal to me, to my school, the governors, the parents and the children. It's a real positive for our school.''

The award brings with it £9,000 of information technology equipment for the school and a £13,000 cash prize, which Mr Cooke has earmarked to refurbish the school's science labs.

But Mr Cooke - who has already been awarded an OBE for his services to education and has even been asked for advice by Prime Minister Tony Blair - says the real reward is motivating children and seeing them smile.

Mr Cooke joined the teaching profession 38 years ago, after being told he was too short to join the police force.

And he says he wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone, as he did to daughter Charlotte who has followed in her father's footsteps.

''As headteacher at Hyde Technology School I have never had a day off and never been late,'' said Mr Cooke. ''I have been fortunate to enjoy every single day. It's such a pleasurable profession.'' He was appointed headteacher in 1980. Then struggling with just 200 pupils it quickly merged with two other schools to give it a population of 1,400.

And to make sure parents weren't concerned by the merger, Mr Cooke visited them all at their homes to reassure them.

Since then he has built up a school where results have improved dramatically and places are over-subscribed. The school is now considered a flagship at the forefront of technological advances and has won awards for excellence and innovation.

Fantastic

Chair of governors Chris Daly, who made the nomination, believes it is Mr Cooke's humanity that has made him stand apart.

He said: ''He is a fantastic man. He believes what he preaches; that every child deserves an education.

''He loves to see the kids smile all the time. And I think it's fair to say the children love him. They will be really happy for him and when we return after the half-term break I am sure it will be really emotional.

''I really did feel that he deserved it.''

The awards - established by the Teaching Awards Trust - acknowledge and celebrate the crucial role played by teachers in the lives of children and their school communities.

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