Three UK teachers have made a final shortlist of 50 in a competition to find the world's best teacher, it has been revealed. 

Teachers from London, Devon and the Vale of Glamorgan were all given the nod for the next stage of the contest, the Global Teacher Prize, which comes with a huge prize pot of $1 million (£670,000) and is designed to increase the profile of those who are going the extra mile when it comes to providing education. 

There's also the prospect of fame within the education sector for the eventual winner. Last year's triumphant teacher was Nancie Atwell from the USA, who has since gone on to be seen as a guru for the sector across the world. She also grabbed the attention when she donated all of her $1 million prize to her school. 

In the top 50 from the UK are; Janet Hayward, Cadoxton Primary School, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Sean Bellamy, Sands School, Ashburton, Devon and Colin Hegarty, Preston Manor School, Wembley, Greater London.

Mr Hegarty is already a celebrated teacher, having last year won the the UK's Pearson Teaching Awards or so-called "Platos", after being labelled a "maths superstar" in his school. 

Ms Hayward has promoted the use of technology and is chairwoman of the National Digital Learning Council in Wales, while Sean Bellamy runs an unconventional secondary school based on principles of "democratic education", which has rules decided by everyone and no school uniform. 

Prime Minister David Cameron praised the UK teachers for the "tremendous achievement in being shortlisted".

The three teachers will be looking to improve on last year's performance when finalists are named. Last year, there was one teacher from the UK in the top ten, but all three will be hoping 2015 sees them break into this elite list of teachers.