THURROCK'S education heroes were honoured at the latest borough education awards organised by Thurrock Council and presented at a showcase event held at the Civic Hall.

Cllr Barry Johnson, cabinet member for children's services and education, said: "It was an honour to celebrate the great talent and acknowledge the achievements and accomplishments of those across our early years settings, schools and post-16 providers.

"Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible – Thames Freeport, Greenergy, DG International, Strategy Education, Moore Kingston Smith, DP World London Gateway, Impulse Leisure, Palmers Solicitors, HW Wilson Ltd and the Port of Tilbury.

"This year we received 517 nominations, the highest we've ever received, and everybody who was nominated and shortlisted as finalists should be truly proud of themselves. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners of this year's Thurrock Education Awards."

The winners in each category are listed below, together with the other nominees – many who attended the gala event.

Excellence in early years education – sponsored by DG International

Little Chestnuts

WINNER: Manager and Team – Little Chestnuts Preschool

Nominees:

• Dee Bullion – ABC Dee's Childcare
• Early Years Team – Harris Primary Academy Mayflower
• Laura Weightman – Laura's Little Lovelies Childcare

Newcomers of the year – sponsored by Strategy Education

Sam Tizard.

WINNER Sam Tizard – Bonnygate Primary School

Nominees:

• Hannah Darbey – Orsett Heath Academy
• Emma Goodsell – Quarry Hill Primary Academy
• Chloe Marshall – Gateway Primary Free School

Teaching and school support of the year – sponsored by Moore Kingston Smith

Kate Stonell.

WINNER: Kate Stonell – Thames Park School

Nominees:

• Wendy Smith – Orsett Church of England Primary School
• Richard Turner – Graham James Primary Academy
• Lauren Williams – Little Thurrock Primary School

Excellence in English or science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) – sponsored by DP World London Gateway

Olive AP Academy's STEM team

WINNER: STEM Team – Olive AP Academy

Nominees:

• Jess Knight – William Edwards Secondary School
• Hayley Nye – Dilkes Academy
• Sam Toman – ORTU Hassenbrook Academy

Excellence in sport or the creative arts – sponsored by Impulse Leisure

WINNER: Aimee Valentine – Abbots Hall Primary Academy

Nominees:

• Art and photography department – William Edwards Secondary School
• Diana Naydenova-Goryanova – Ormiston Park Academy
• Billy Rungay – Orsett Heath Academy

Aimee Valentine and Stuart Holmes were double winners for Abbots Hall.

Mental health and well-being champion – sponsored by Palmers Solicitors

WINNER: Stuart Holmes – Abbots Hall Primary Academy

Nominees:

• House Leader Team – William Edwards Secondary School
• Pastoral Team – East Tilbury Primary School
• Susie Tyler – Olive AP Academy

Inclusive opportunities for skills development – sponsored by DG International

Alexa Joel, Inclusive opportunities for skills development.

WINNER: Alexa Joel – William Edwards Secondary School

Nominees:

• Florin Nicorici – Ormiston Park Academy
• Samantha Phillips – Dilkes Academy
• Kirsty Stamp – Dilkes Academy

Teacher of the year primary – sponsored by H W Wilson Ltd.

Cllr Barry Johnson with James Powell.

WINNER: James Powell – East Tilbury Primary School

Nominees:

• Gemma Nicholson – Lansdowne Primary Academy
• Emma Walsh – Gateway Primary Free School
• Grace Pattison – Quarry Hill Academy

Teacher of the year secondary, including post 16 – sponsored by DG International

Secondary schools teacher of the year Beverley Garnham.

WINNER: Beverley Garnham – Thurrock Adult Community College

Nominees:

• Gemma Ellis – ORTU Gable Hall
• Hannah Mitchell – ORTU Hassenbrook Academy
• Katharine Nutman – William Edwards Secondary School

Education leader of the year – sponsored by Port of Tilbury

Dan George and Collette Hunnisett, Education leader of the year.

JOINT WINNERS: Dan George – Lansdowne and Tilbury Pioneer Academies and Collette Hunnisett – Olive AP Academy

Nominees:

• Christina Pumfrey – South West Essex Community Education Trust
• Sue Weston – ORTU Sixth Form Centre

Going the extra mile (GEM) award – sponsored by H W Wilson Ltd

Stephan Sanger with Mayor Cllr James Halden.

WINNER: Stephan Sanger – Dilkes Academy

Nominees:

• Staff Team – Beacon Hill Academy
• Amanda Wood – William Edwards Secondary School
• Rose Wright and the Catering Team – Ormiston Park Academy

Kevin Sadler (pictured), the CEO of the Gateway Learning Community, received a special Director's award for outstanding contribution to education in Thurrock.