He has been described as an excellent role model who has a Facebook site dedicated to him.

Now Alasdair Hogarth, who retires this summer after 25 years as head of Archbishop’s School in Canterbury, has received a top accolade at the annual Kent Teacher of the Year Awards.

He was named as head teacher of the year at the ceremony at Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham, on Wednesday night.

The citation stated: “The catchphrase for the Government 'every child matters’ is a reality at this school and has been for many years.”

Mr Hogarth has also helped change the lives of hundreds of families in Africa through his pupils fund-raising which has gone towards building three schools.

Soraya Khan, of St Stephen’s Infants’ School in Canterbury, was named as Canterbury area primary school teacher of the year.

Secondary school teacher of the year for Canterbury was Vicky Butler, of Canterbury High School, who is credited with restructuring Key Stage 3 learning.

A teaching assistant award went to Sally Childs, from Canterbury High School.

The awards’ new category of newly qualified teacher went to Lucy Hardy, of Ospringe Primary School.

The Swale area primary school teacher of the year is Janet Pritchard, of Eastling school, and a Swale area special award went to Kelvin Jones, of Sheldwich Primary School.

~For more on the winners, see the Kentish Gazette on Thursday, July 10.