A CLACTON teacher has been recognized as one of the top educators in the country – and will now appear at the glittering national finals ceremony.

PE teacher Laura Townsend, from Clacton County High School, has been announced as a silver winner in the National Teaching Awards.

She was nominated for ‘Outstanding New Teacher of the Year’ for her passionate approach, organising innovative lessons and extra events for students.

Awards judges visited County High earlier this month to watch Laura in action.

They were impressed and gave her the silver award, marking her as one of the seven finalists in the newcomer category.

Laura will now progress to the televised national finals ceremony in October with a chance of scooping the top prize.

Sam Horsewill, head of PE at County High, was full of praise for Laura.

“She creates a phenomenal learning environment within all her lessons and her innovative teaching style fully engages her students,” she said.

“The PE team, as much as her students, always look forward to see what she’s got planned next!

“Combined with her enthusiastic teaching, Laura organises regular engagement events including the ‘This Girl Can’ assault courses and colour runs.

“These have been immensely popular involving over a thousand students, staff and parents to date.

“She inspires students daily to reach past their expectations and achieve more.”

Laura joined Clacton County High School three years ago as a trainee teacher and has progressed to become a full-time member of the PE team.

She received her silver award during a surprise assembly last week as part of the school’s national Thank a Teacher Day celebrations.

The annual National Teaching Awards celebrates the top teachers in the country each year.

The high-profile finals ceremony will take place in London in October, with gold plato awards handed out to one winner in each category.

County High principal Neil Gallagher said: “This is a fantastic achievement for such a young and talented teacher.

“The broader life of the school would not be the same without Laura and we are very privileged to have her as a member of our team.

“This award is fully deserved and we are exceptionally proud of her. We wish her all the best at the finals in October.”