Andrea Yates, a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Bowland High School won the prize which will enable her to study in America.

The national scholarship is offered by the English Speaking Union and is supported by the NASUWT who part fund the project. It offers the successful candidate the chance to travel on a teaching/research placement to the USA.

After applying in December, Miss Yates was selected from candidates nationwide to attend an interview in London. Following her success, Miss Yates was told she would be visiting two areas of America – New York and New England, to carry out research and teach in four different schools. Her research will be linked to the role of Performing Arts in schools within the curriculum and as an extra curricular activity.

As Director Of Specialism at Bowland, a specialist school in performing arts, the study area is close Miss Yates' heart and her visit to the States will inform future practice at the Valley school and in links with primary schools where she also teaches.

Bowland headteacher Mr Stephen Cox said: "This area the USA is renowned for its Performing Arts schools, I'm sure we all remember FAME! We very much hope some of the strategies for delivering the performing arts in New York and elsewhere can be brought back across the Atlantic. Another hopeful offshoot is to link up with other performing schools to work on joint projects and even exchanges. I am confident that as well being an exciting opportunity for Miss Yates, it will also bring many benefits to Bowland High."

Miss Yates added: "I am thrilled at the opportunity to travel to the United States on the scholarship programme. Teaching in the middle of New York will be a 'little different' to teaching in the Ribble Valley; I am thoroughly looking forward to the challenge!"