Mr Catton's family-friendly approach earned him a nomination in the Mother@Work Awards for best people manager.

This year's event, hosted by the website, took place in the prestigious State Room at No 11 Downing Street, and although he didn't walk away with the trophy, Mr Catton was one of the few men, and only one from the education field, to be recognised.

Other categories included best "mum-prenuer" and exceptional working mum.

Hilary Reeves, a teacher at Orton Longueville School, in Oundle Road, Peterborough where Mr Catton is head, nominated her boss after he helped make the working environment more comfortable for her when she returned to the school following the birth of her daughter, now four.

She said: "So many mums find juggling work and motherhood too hard to be worth the often small monetary reward.

If all bosses were like John, so many more mothers would find it possible to combine work and motherhood."

Mr Catton, who chatted to the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown said he was "surprised, humbled and thrilled" to find out he had been shortlisted.

He said: "If you are fair, reasonable and supportive of staff, they are able to do the job better and then the pupils benefit. Apart from that, I just want to help working mums who manage highly demanding lives.

"They are a tremendous resource for us and a vital resource for the teaching industry.

"I am aware of the tensions and juggling that go with working mums and their busy working life."

Mr Catton, who is a father of three himself, added: "If there is a little bit I can to make it easier, then I will.

The awards' ambassador Mrs Brown, said: "Winners have been inspirational and innovative in their approach to making the lives of working mothers and their families better.

"These awards offer a tremendous example of how businesses and working mothers can come together to develop family-friendly policies and working practices, and all the winners deserve our congratulations and praise."