A MUCH-LOVED teacher in Maldon has been given a national award for her "tireless" efforts to tackle bullying.

As part of Anti-Bullying Alliance's national anti-bullying week - which took place last week - Plume Academy teacher Alison Ollett received a prestigious award for her work to fight bullying in the school.

The award-winning teacher leads in anti-bullying for the academy in Maldon.

Mrs Ollett won this year’s national School Staff Award from the Anti-Bullying Alliance after being nominated by 64 students.

One of the students who nominated the drama teacher said: "She is very quick to act if she hears a word that shouldn't be said and doesn't hesitate to speak up.

"She is always supportive to pupils and listens to them."

Another added: "Mrs Ollett is very kind, calm and easy to talk to if you have any issues with anything that is troubling you and if you are getting bullied Mrs Ollett can easily sort it out if you tell her."

Students have praised the winner for always being helpful and understanding "when it comes to LGBTQ+ and also anti-bullying".

She was also one of only two teachers to receive the major award - with one winner from a primary school and one winner from a secondary school chosen by a panel of children and young people.

Will Quince, parliamentary under-secretary of state for children and families, has praised Mrs Ollett for going "above and beyond the call of duty to prevent and respond to bullying".

A spokesman for Plume Academy said: "This kind of national recognition for this important work confirms a commitment as an academy to tackling head on and without compromise this vital issue.

"Our students across on both campuses have been fully involved in this national annual campaign supporting the theme One Kind Word."