Manjit Nahal, from Bridgetown School in Stratford-upon-Avon, was presented with the National Teaching Award by host Alex Jones, who helped pupils decorate the room for the surprise.
In almost a decade at the school, Mrs Nahal has worked as a caretaker and teaching assistant and now leads a team of 10.
Visibly moved, she said: “Nothing gives me greater pleasure than doing my job for the children and the school itself.”
