SCHOOLS in Tendring are celebrating after scooping a string of gongs at the Essex Teaching Awards tonight.

The district’s schools won four of the ten awards up for grabs at a special ceremony in Chelmsford.

Jo Hodges, of Shorefields School in Clacton, was crowned headteacher of the year in the secondary and special schools category.

There was more success at Clacton’s Raven Academy, where Karen Hammond was named primary headteacher of the year.

Ed Seager, of Clacton Coastal Academy, took the secondary school student choice award.

Clacton County High School’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics team won the team of the year prize, with Tendring Technology College’s PE department being highly commended.

Clacton County High School’s Laura Townsend was highly commended for new teacher of the year, and Great Bentley Primary’s Tracy Cooke was highly commended in the primary teacher category.

County Hall education boss Ray Gooding said: “We have some fantastic teachers and support staff working at the county’s schools, and are keen to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.

“These awards are a great way of acknowledging their hard work and commitment.”