It was a victory for teaching standards in Gravesend with three teachers getting top prizes at the Kent Teacher of the Year awards.

One of the winners was Emma Millett from Ifield School, named as the 2014 Newly Qualified Teacher of the Year.

She was praised for her approach to the curriculum, and parents commented on how much children enjoyed her lessons.

Her work in the sensory garden, increasing insect and bird biodiversity, was said to be “inspirational” at the awards ceremony this month at Sittingbourne’s Hempstead House Hotel.

Chris Coetzee from St George’s CE School is Science and Technology Teacher of the Year, after developing and teaching courses to fellow teachers for the new computing GCSE.

He has been doing outreach work with more than 25 schools and publishing free teaching resources on the internet.

Described as a “beacon of light” the Secondary Teacher of the Year title was awarded to Thomas Chapman from The Ebbsfleet Academy.

Mr Chapman has helped boost pupils’ self-esteem and sporting achievements by developing cross-country running at the school and inspiring pupils to join running clubs, run for charity and compete in marathons.

All three winners had already received the district awards for their categories earlier before being named as Kent champions.

Two other teachers received awards for being the best within the Gravesham district.

Christian Hayne from Meopham Community Academy was named north Kent’s top history teacher and Clare Holder from Sheers Green Infant School was presented with the award for top early years foundation stage teacher.