One of the top awards in education and training has been presented to a Basildon teacher who has guided many young people into successful futures. 
Mrs Sharon Wilson, headteacher at South Quadrant Support Services, is a recipient of the Silver Pearson Lifetime Achievement Award. 
South Quadrant provides teaching and training to young people who are excluded from mainstream education for a variety of reasons, including disruptive behaviour, poor health, pregnancy and anxiety. 
It also runs a leading teacher training programme, teacher. 
Mrs Wilson said: “We are able to offer a wide and varied programme both to trainee teachers and to established teachers wishing to widen their experience.” 
The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration and recognition of excellence in education. 
A Person spokesman said: “The awards offers everyone the opportunity to say thank you to a teacher who has helped them with their lives .
“Anyone can take part, children, students, parents, grandparents and colleagues can all go online and say thank you. Every thank you then becomes a nomination for a Pearson award.” 
Stephen Metcalf, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, attended a reception at the Houses of Parliament for recipients of the Pearson award. 
Mr Metcalfe said: “Many people who now have secure lives and successful careers have good reason to be grateful to Sharon Wilson and have expressed the fact. 
“It was a great delight to to see such a hardworking and dedicated education professional in the local area being recognised for her achievements.”