DESPITE his obvious passion for teaching, Iain Hulland admits he never planned to be a headteacher - in fact he says he has never had a career plan.

It's hard to believe as he sits in an office at Alder Grange Community and Technology College swamped in congratulation cards from colleagues, staff, pupils and parents.

He said: "The spotlight should focus on the staff and kids because that is where it truly belongs. It is their achievements that matter."

During his time at Alder Grange, the 54-year-old former Habergham High School, Burnley, history teacher has built up an outstanding reputation.

He has overseen the 660-pupil school gain technology status, the Healthy Schools Standard, Leading Edge status and win the first ever Listening Schools Award since taking over in 1997.

He puts his and the school's success down to developing a climate which enables children to feel self-esteem and achieve in whatever they are good at.

Every day he has meetings with senior staff to discuss each child's progress in various key areas of development.

And this is where his youthful obsession with flying shows itself.

He said: "So that we know how each child is doing academically, socially, physically and emotionally, every pupil has what we call a 'flight plan'.

"I have always aimed to run a school where everybody feels important as everyone has something unique to offer.

"It is my job to build the environment in which they can deliver this to the best of their ability and my role is to keep things running smoothly so pupils can look over the horizon and feel free to achieve."

Mr Hulland's teaching career began in August, 1974, when he got a job at Burnley High School for Girls, which merged with Habergham High School in 1981.

Already passionate about education, he said his job took on new meaning when his children, Louise and Nick, who are now both in their early 20s, were born.

He said: "One big thing in my life has been having children. I thought that as a teacher I knew about children but I didn't truly until I had my own.

"Throughout my career I have asked myself one question. Is what we are doing in the school good enough for Louise and Nick?

"If the answer is no, then it is not good enough for any of the children here."

From 1988 to 1989, Mr Hulland spent time on secondment with the education authority and the council advisory service working as a trainer for GCSE history.

He then joined Alder Grange as a deputy head teacher in 1990, working alongside then head Don Pacey to improve attainment within the school and develop a good reputation.

He believes these foundations have enabled him to continue to steer the college forward.

He said: "One of the strengths of the school is that it has been managed by people who believe in the same things. I have just continued to build on that ethos, maintained continuity and seized opportunities that were there.

"I have never ceased to see the job as a challenge and believe that - just like pilots flying - you need a good dose of self-doubt as there is no room for complacency."

As a fitness enthusiast and in his youth a keen rugby player, Mr Hulland injured his ear during a match which prevented him from pursuing a flying career.

"I was once told by a pilot that it was good to be scared as if you ever stop caring then you should stop and I think I have always prized professional humility above anything else.

"If you go into a job thinking it will be easy and you will be successful then things will go wrong and if you start off teaching intending to become a head then you are in the wrong job.

"I would advise any teacher just to enjoy what they are doing at any given time."

It is this passion and strength of belief that inspires his staff and pupils and they have praised his leadership.

His personal assistant, Christine Haworth, said his leadership made the school a lovely place to work.

She said: "The atmosphere in school is fantastic and that is down to Mr Hulland. He is fair and friendly and always has time for pupils and staff on a personal and a professional level and he is always aware of people's personal circumstances and welfare.

"The whole staff are behind him and we think he is definitely the best head teacher in the country."

On his return to work after winning the national head teacher award at a glittering ceremony in London, he was presented with a T-shirt by staff which had a picture of Superman's body with his head superimposed on top.

Underneath the slogan 'super head' it contained his quote from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph report of his award success - "I am just an ordinary bloke from Rossendale doing a job that I love."

He said: "The support and recognition has been fantastic and has energised me to go on, but I don't see myself as a 'super head.'

"What I do was best described by a Year 10 pupil, Zahid Hussain, who said that it is my job to make sure that everyone has the how to do theirs.

"And to me that really just sums it up."