As the search for Kingston's Best Headteacher gathers pace, this week's nominee is Julie Ritchie from St Matthew's Church of England Primary School in Surbiton.

Mrs Ritchie initially joined the school in 2001 as deputy headteacher, and quickly applied her individual philosophy when she made the step up two years ago.

She said: "I like to be heavily involved with the management of the children, to help them reach their potential and look after their emotional well-being. The staff and the children should work together on this, and we can keep an eye on their behaviour to ensure their security."

Mrs Ritchie attained her teaching certificate in 1974 and later completed a degree in teaching for the deaf and blind.

Undoubtedly such a vast range of experiences in education gave her the sort of expertise that made her ideal for her ongoing role as an Ofsted inspector.

She arrived in Surrey in 1991, taking up the deputy headteacher post at Dysart, a Surbiton-based special school, before arriving at St Matthew's ten years later.

In contrast to the stereotypical headteacher, Mrs Ritchie enjoys getting involved with the pupils on a day-to-day basis, particularly through her running of the school's popular lunch club.

The highlight of her long and distinguished teaching career came just last year, as St Matthew's celebrated its 125-year anniversary. She said: "It was the launch of a new vision - every child in reception had drawn on a card to put on a helium balloon. We went out on to our school field and our vicar read the Lord's prayer. As he said Amen', the children released the balloons, which represented their hopes, dreams and views for the future.

"The vicar asked me if I saw that the balloons made a heart shape in the sky, but I told him that I had been watching the children's excited faces - which made me very happy."