THE DEPUTY head of a Hampshire school has been recognised as one of the top teachers in the UK's technology and education sector.

Jose Picardo is the deputy head teacher at Hampshire Collegiate School in Romsey.

He has been named in the UK Edtech 50, which celebrates the people, products and projects shaping the two sectors.

The list was launched at a House of Lords reception, with Jose being featured in the Key Educators section, recognises the work of individuals working in, and with, schools to promote the effective use of technology in classroom-based learning.

Edtech is a UK strategic body, established by the Education Foundation, to promote the growth of education technology.

Jose said: "It is very encouraging to see bodies representing the UK education and technology sector recognising companies and educators who work hard to understand the role of technology in supporting teaching and learning.

"One of the greatest advantages of technology is as true in the classroom as it is in our daily lives: technology can help us do things that would otherwise be impossible without it.

"Technology complements our multi-faceted approach to teaching and learning at Hampshire Collegiate School and contributes to developing pupils with character; pupils who are competent, confident and capable of taking their place in the world and effecting meaningful change to make the world a better place."

Jose's interests include combining pedagogy, a curriculum and technology to produce teaching and learning methods, and has just published a book on using technology in the classroom.

Ty Goddard, director of Edtech UK said: "The Edtech has been chosen from a mixture of public nominations and the insight of our judging panel.

"It has been a challenging and exciting process. The Edtech 50 helps us all celebrate a wonderful sector, while recognising the benefits of education technology, and acknowledging the economic advantages of the growing education and technology sector to the whole UK economy."