SANDRA Sutton, of The Castle School, Taunton, won a Lifetime Achievement Award at Classic FM’s 12th annual Music Teacher of the Year Awards.

She received the accolade at the Music for Youth School Prom Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, from Lord Hill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Education.

As part of the award, Sandra will receive musical equipment from Yamaha and Avid Sibelius for the school.

Sandra took up the post of head of music at Castle in 1979, later becoming head of performing arts and later head of performing and expressive arts.

She saidn: “I’m amazed, delighted and really very grateful to the wonderful students past and present, their parents and my colleagues for their support over many years as well as to Classic FM for acknowledging and rewarding Music Teachers in this way.”

The judges said: “Sandra has been teaching for 31 years! In that time the school has seen its music department go from strength to strength.

“Year after year, Sandra produces young musicians that have had an amazing experience at school both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities.”