Last term at Teaching Awards events around the country, more than 140 school heroes were awarded platos and thanked for their extraordinary contribution.

Part of their prize is to attend the Winners' Weekend based at the Tower hotel on the River Thames. 'We are looking forward to an exciting weekend,' says Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards.

'It's a fantastic opportunity to bring together and celebrate these inspirational people. Every one of them makes a huge difference to children's lives and to the future of this country. I am so proud of them all.'

On the eve of the Winners' Weekend, the Teaching Awards is publishing its first ever book, called Inspiring Minds and supported by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL).

The book is a collection of interviews with award-winning headteachers conducted by ten writers, researchers and other educationists. The heads are: Janet Armstrong, Yasmin Bevan, Gerry Curran, Iain Hulland, Alan Roach, Sue Seifert, Pritpal Singh, Alan Steer, Tracy Stone and Richard Wallis.

Writing in the introduction, Steve Munby, chief executive of NCSL says: 'Great school leaders put improving learning at the heart of their work; they lead by example, act with integrity and authenticity, monitor pupils' achievements, challenge practice that is second best and ensure that good practice is praised and shared.

Tracy Stone, national winner and head of Rookery Primary School, Birmingham

Down in Cornwall, Isobel Bryce, winner of the 2007 Royal Air Force Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School in the South West, proudly announced the birth last month of eight piglets at her school: Saltash.net Community School.

The school, which combines specialisms in ICT and rural studies, keeps pigs and Dorothy the sow gave birth to eight piglets in full view of a webcam - which promptly crashed because of the weight of traffic!

Richard Garner, education editor of The Independent newspaper, had reported that rearing pigs was so fascinating it was helping to improve attendance and cure truancy.

Three of the piglets were named after boys Matt, Ben and Benny who help keep the piggery snug and clean. 'The boys enjoy working with the animals and really show an interest in them', said Mrs Bryce

Dorothy and her piglets

Children from Villiers High School, London

Their teacher, Dai Jones, winner in 2006 of the Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School, wrote to tell us: 'We've just written 1000 poems for peace, secured 1000 candles to light for peace (thank you Price's candles) and will launch 1000 balloons with peace messages'.

The 24-hour focus on peace, now established in 200 countries around the world, is an opportunity to respect cease-fires and non-violence, a day when children in war zones can be immunised and food-aid moved to relieve suffering. Recognition of support for this annual event is at

Cameras in the classroom have been informing teachers about their practice and giving them feedback on lessons.

In a pilot project between Teachers' TV and St Boniface's Catholic College in Plymouth, eight pupils filmed their teachers and discussed elements of the lessons that worked well and enhanced learning.

The process was used in a programme screened last month about the 'Teacher Development Team' at the school.

Isaac Foster and the Teacher Development Team filming their teachers

Phil Beadle with plato

Phil Beadle, winner of the 2004 Guardian Award for Secondary Teacher of the Year, filled this summer's Sunday papers with extracts from his book for parents: Could do Better! Help Your Child Shine at School.

Phil, the son of a lorry driver, begins with a dedication to his mother Olive 'whose interest in education is the reason I am able to write a book'. He identifies different kinds of children – 'the thinker, the mover, the dreamer' – and their preferred learning styles.

Phil, a father of three, spent ten years in a rock band called Ennui before training to be an English teacher and winning the award. Later he received a Royal Television Society 'Breakthrough Award – On Screen' for his role in the Channel 4 series 'The Unteachables', masterminded by the late Professor Ted Wragg.

How many roles are there where an individual can help give so many young people the best possible preparation for life? Those in school leadership positions have a role that affects all the pupils in their school.

Headteachers understand and develop people; they build the vision and set the direction for their school, shaping it to be as effective as possible. They manage teaching and learning and are optimistic, positive and focused on improvement. Their role is hugely stimulating, personally challenging and intellectually fulfilling.