THE very best of Thurrock's education centres are celebrating after winning awards.

Winners at the Thurrock Education Awards enjoyed the annual event in style at The Backstage Centre, High House Production Park, Vellacott Close, Purfleet on Friday November 18.

Various awards were handed out for outstanding and excellent teaching and educational support, among other categories.

The evenings winners said they are so proud of their schools and all the hard work they have done.

Penny Johnson, who won the Headteacher of the Year, Secondary School Year award from Grays Convent School, Grays said the award is for the whole school.

She added: "We are a team.

"The students, staff and governors have worked so hard to make sure we live up to our school’s motto, ‘Inspiring ambition; achieving excellence’.

"I did not at all expect to win when I was nominated for the award.

"I have been a headteacher in Thurrock for two and a half years and was up against some of the best headteachers in Thurrock. I didn’t ever imagine this."

Ms Johnson who was a finalist at last years event, said she was proud just to be nominated.

She added: "It is fabulous that Thurrock businesses support the awards."

Tony Parfett, headteacher at Quarry Hill Academy, Grays won the Headteacher of the Year in Primary Education award.

He said that it didn’t feel real at first, especially when his name was called and he went to collect the award.

He added: "It does feel great knowing that all of our hard work has been acknowledged so publicly.

"You have no idea what people have written in the nominations until it is announced, but afterwards, when you read what people have written it is amazing to know that people write such kind things about you."

Mr Parfett, who was also nominated and was a finalist last year, said last year he attended as the headteacher of Quarry Hill Academy after being appointed as headteacher for the first time.

Mr Parfett said of the event: "I loved it, everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves and everybody really got behind all nominees and applauded their efforts.

"There are so many people in Thurrock that work so hard to improve the lives of the young people in their schools and it needs to be recognised.

"Being in education is more than just a job and seeing the positive difference that all these people make on the lives of children and hearing it at an event like this really highlights the great work that is going on locally."