A PRIMARY school teacher from East Kent, described as “everything a parent or headteacher could wish for,” has been named as Kent Teacher of The Year.

Carolyn Thomas, of Briary School, Herne Bay, scooped the award in the inaugural Kent Teacher Of The Year awards, organised by the Kent Messenger Group, and held at County Hall in Maidstone.

Carolyn, who has taught at the school since 1985, was one of 16 teachers from across the county shortlisted for the top award.

Receiving her prize from Bob Bounds, editor of The Kentish Gazette, she said: “I feel very humble to be accepting this award, which I do on behalf of all teachers in Kent. I know that there are hundreds of teachers who work equally hard and do a fantastic job.”

She went on to dedicate her award to Sue Murrell, the headteacher of Barham School, who was killed in a tragic accident earlier this year.

Carolyn was nominated for the award, which attracted hundreds of entries, by parent Sally Winton because of the support provided for her son Adam, who has Aspergers syndrome.

Carolyn, who was one of 16 finalists shortlisted by the judges, received a cheque for £250 for her school and a further £250 for herself at the prize-giving held at Maidstone’s County Hall. She also won a weekend trip for two to a top London show.

There were also awards presented to area winners in east Kent, west Kent, north Kent and south Kent.

The runners-up in east Kent were: Victoria Wetherhogg, head of Year 11 at Canterbury’s Chaucer Technology School, who was nominated by pupil Kim Daly; Liz Grigg, a Year 1 teacher at the Callis Grange Infants School in Broadstairs, nominated by parent Dee Underwood and Karen Matthews, who teaches English at Canterbury High School and was nominated by year eight pupil Kirsty Baker.

* Carolyn Thomas told KM-fm about dedicating her award to all the county's hard-working teachers...