THE academic and life skills success of Tilbury's Gateway academy secondary school has been recognised at a major teaching event.

Work at the Academy was recognised when Head of School, Grainne McLaughlin was asked to be a keynote speaker at a conference in Ireland.

During the AMCSS/JMB Headteachers' Conference, Ms McLaughlin was invited to speak to more than 300 headteachers and representatives from the Department of Education in Ireland about her experience of leading an exceptional academy in England.

She spoke passionately about the strong sense of community that makes The Gateway Academy such a special place to work each day.

At the heart of her message was an unwavering belief that every young person deserves every opportunity to succeed — a belief underpinned by an ethos of high expectations, deep-rooted care and an unrelenting commitment to ensuring all students can thrive.

The impact of her message was felt immediately by Michelle Dolan who reached out with her praise for her 'energising and inspirational' speech.

"I just wanted to reach out to your Headteacher and share the powerful impact she had on me yesterday in Killarney.

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"I am the Principal of St Louis Secondary School Dundalk and I'm so delighted to hear about her success. Her courage, innovation and steadfast belief in her students and staff was so energising and inspirational!"

A statement from the The Gateway Learning Community academic trust said: "The GLC is immensely proud of Grainne and to see their mission — developing active, thriving citizens within a diverse, truly fair and equal community — recognised and celebrated on an international level."