THE headteacher of a Thurrock secondary school has been recognised with a top education award.

Grainne McLaughlin, headteacher at The Gateway Academy on Marshfoot Road, Tilbury, has been named as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners across the country. She has been honoured in the Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School category for her 'outstanding commitment to changing the lives of children'.

Since Joining The Gateway Academy in 2015, Ms McLaughlin is described as being a 'force for change within both the school and the local community'.

A citation says: "Although students at the Gateway Academy often join the school at a level lower than national average, and despite a higher level of deprivation in the area, Grainne never uses this as an excuse for our students not to excel. More students than ever are moving onto exceptional further and higher education providers such as Russell Group Universities and Cambridge. One student worked their way to a full scholarship at a private school for sixth form.  

"Staff wellbeing is always a priority for Grainne, and she ensures that the school is staffed with the highest quality teachers. In addition to consistently working alongside the community, Grainne's commitment to hiring expert teachers and creating a positive and ambitious school ethos has ensured the school is now oversubscribed with a waiting list in Year 7. With determination and a sincere passion for the students, Grainne is changing the lives of both students and their families across Thurrock." 

As a Silver Award winner, Grainne has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year.

Recognition of this once in a lifetime achievement will be broadcast on the BBC's The One Show as part of a week-long celebration of teaching, which sees famous faces honour award winners every night in the run up to the ceremony.

The Silver Award winners are being honoured as part of the wider celebrations for national 'Thank a Teacher Day', bringing together everyone across the country to celebrate the schools and colleges at the heart of our communities. 

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The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with. This year marks its 23rd year of celebrating school teaching staff across the UK.