by Rhona Pinkerton

The UK’s best secondary school teacher is at a school near you.

Dan Walton from St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Gravesend picked up the accolade at the 2009 UK Teaching Awards in London yesterday.

He had already won the south-east title but had no idea he would win the big award.

He said: “It’s a fantastic feeling - really, really honoured to have won it and really pleased.”

Mr Walton is an advanced skills teacher of maths at the Gravesend school and teaches pupils throughout the school.

He was initially nominated by the head and deputy head, but when award inspectors came in to watch him work they also got great recommendations from pupils, parents and governors.

Parents say he has switched on the light for many children who hated the subject or struggled with it.

For Mr Walton though, it is just about sharing a passion: “I want the kids to enjoy the subject and progress.

"I do my best to make it as engaging as possible for them and if I can incorporate anything that will make it that little bit better an experience for them then I try to do that.”

He was presented with a gold plato to mark his achievement.