London Teacher of the Year awards

Schools are celebrating after their teachers won gongs at the inaugural London Teacher of the Year Awards.

The awards were announced at a glittering ceremony at the Mayfair headquarters of the Royal Aeronautical Society on Friday, June 14 with winners being named for the city as a whole and its separate districts.

Florence Venables-Chis, of Dunraven School in Streatham, picked up one of the 10 London-wide awards.

She was named secondary school teacher of the year for both London as a whole, and the boroughs of Lambeth, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.

Ms Venables-Chis said: “I think that teaching is a job that you go into without expecting any thanks, and we don’t think about the bigger picture sometimes. So it’s really nice to be recognised for such an award.”

Elizabeth Wells, of Rushey Green Primary School in Catford, picked up one of the 10 London-wide awards.

She was named newly-qualified or trainee teacher of the year for both London as a whole and the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Lewisham.

Paul Madden, of Broadwater Primary School, was named sports teacher of the year for both London as a whole and the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth and Richmond upon Thames.

Eden Jackson, of Breaside Prep School, was named newly-qualified or trainee teacher of the year for the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Lewisham.

The administration team at St Giles School in South Croydon won the team of the year award for the boroughs of Bromley, Croydon and Lewisham.

The evening proved particularly successful for Roy Warner, of Cherry Orchard Primary School in Blackheath. He won the support-staff award for Greenwich.

Roy thanked his colleagues for nominating him, and added: “I was a gas engineer for 32 years and gave it up to work in a school. I don’t regret one day of it – it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

“I’m over the moon to accept this award on behalf of Cherry Orchard School.” The awards were organised by Inspire Schools, with the judges including Greenwich University.

Greenwich University careers officer Jan Orlebar said: “It’s great to know that there are some really committed, enthusiastic teachers out there supporting our students to make the best choices for their lives.” Bexley won two out of the 10 London-wide awards.

New Horizons Federation’s careers and transition staff were named team of the year for both London and Bexley. And Georgia Bissett, of Shenstone School, was named London business manager of the year and also picked up the Bexley support-staff award.

In addition, Shannon Summerskill, of Peareswood Primary School, was named Bexley primary school teacher of the year.

Shannon said it was “a great honour” to receive the award for something that she loved doing.