Kevin Harcombe scooped the prestigious prize at the National Teaching Awards in London last night.

Mr Harcombe used to be well known to shoppers as a busker during his student days in Brighton.

His guitar is still a key part of his life, but now in more respectable surroundings – he is the inspirational headteacher at Redlands Primary School in Fareham.

When Mr Harcombe took on the headship seven years ago, Redlands Primary was a school facing difficulties.

Today it boasts a superb music and drama room, with a range of specialist lighting equipment and musical instruments, and a fully-stocked library.

Exam results are above national averages and this year's scores are the best ever.

No wonder that, for the past three years, inspectors have deemed the school 'outstanding'.

Mr Harcombe, 50, said: 'When I came here it was a lovely school with supporting parents, nice children and good staff.

'But what the school needed was a bit of direction and some raised expectations.'

Mr Harcombe acts as a leadership consultant, and is well-known for training staff who go on to higher things. He also runs lunch-time guitar lessons.

Assistant head Ysanne Boddington said: 'It is a true honour to work with him and for him.'