TOP teaching talent from across the county gathered for the presentation of the Kent Teacher of the Year awards.

Nominees attended the annual ceremony at County Hall, Maidstone, to hear judges announce the winners of the competition organised by the Kent Messenger Group.

Mike Whiting, KMG managing editor, said a record number of nominations had been received.

The overall winner of the Kent Teacher of the Year Award was Lisa Ellis, from Christ Church School, Folkestone, who was rated in a recent Ofsted inspection as exceptional.

While accepting the award she said: “I feel a bit of a fraud because all the teachers in all the schools deserve applause for their hard work.”

The awards, now in their third year, attracted more than 250 nominations from across the county.

The Kent Messenger, in partnership with Lloyds TSB, Cripps Harries Hall Solicitors, The Saga Group, Kent County Council and the North West Kent Business and Education Partnership, set up the awards to recognise good teaching and good teachers throughout the region.

THE winners chosen by judges from each of the 15 borough and district council areas were:

Maidstone Primary School Teacher of the Year

Julie Ongley, South Borough Primary School, Stagshaw Close, Postley Rd, Maidstone.

Maidstone Senior School Teacher of the Year

Nichola Bulless, Maplesden Noakes Secondary School, Buckland Road, Maidstone.

Medway Primary School Teacher of the Year

Pam Charlesworth, St. Matthew’s Infants School.

Medway Senior School Teacher of the Year

Diane Fay, Rainham School for Girls

Sevenoaks Primary School Teacher of the Year

Clare Morgan, Riverhead Infants School

Sevenoaks Senior School Teacher of the Year

Patricia Weighill, The Bradbourne School for Girls

Shepway Primary School Teacher of the Year

Lisa Ellis, Christ Church CEP School

Shepway Senior School Teacher of the Year

Susanne Staab, Folkestone School for Girls

Swale Primary School Teacher of the Year

Michael Beard, Murston Junior School

Swale Senior School Teacher of the Year

Kay Pettitt, Meadowfield School

Thanet Primary School Teacher of the Year

Linda Davidson, Northdown Primary School

Thanet Senior School Teacher of the Year

Stephanie Swan, Dane Court Grammar School

Tonbridge and Malling Primary School Teacher of the Year

Louise Medd, Stocks Green Primary School

Tonbridge and Malling Senior School Teacher of the Year

Kelly Bennett, Hugh Christie

Tunbridge Wells Teacher of the Year

Gillian Anderson, St. John’s C.E. P School

Ashford Primary School Teacher of the Year

Ann Plummeridge, Charing Primary School

Ashford Senior School Teacher of the Year

Adrienne Smith, The North School

Bexley Primary School Teacher of the Year

Linda Wainwright, Slade Green Infants School

Bexley Senior School Teacher of the Year

Angela Harrington, Blackfen School for Girls

Bromley Teacher of the Year

Simon Paine, Southborough Primary School, Bromley.

Canterbury Primary School Teacher of the Year

Rosie Henderson, Herne C.E Infants School

Canterbury Senior School Teacher of the Year

Lynne Bennett, Simon Langton Girl’s School

Dartford Primary School Teacher of the Year

Sue Proctor, Holy Trinity CE Primary

Dartford Senior School Teacher of the Year

Sue Hunt, The Grammar School for Girls, Wilmington

Dover Primary School Teacher of the Year

Tony Grist, Sandown School

Dover Senior School Teacher of the Year

Paul Pollard, Walmer School

Gravesham Primary School Teacher of the Year

Gayling Li, Istead Rise Primary School

Gravesham Senior School Teacher of the Year

Marie Adams, Meopham School

Overall Kent Teacher of the Year

LOOK OUT FOR MORE DETAILS ON WINNERS FROM YOUR AREA. THEY WILL BE FEATURED IN KM GROUP PAID-FOR NEWSPAPERS AND THE FOLLOWING FREE TITLES: TUNBRIDGE WELLS EXTRA, TONBRIDGE EXTRA, SEVENOAKS EXTRA, BROMLEY EXTRA, BEXLEY EXTRA