Headteacher Alan Roach was today proud to have made it to the finals of the national teaching awards, despite not winning an award.

The head of Chalvedon School, in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, had made it to the national finals in the leadership trust award category.

He said: "It was a wonderful experience and I was delighted to be part of an exercise which raises the profile of teaching, teachers and schools.

"We do our job to teach not for an award and the fact I did not win does not mean it was any less special."

The 52-year-old, who has been a teacher for 33 years, was one of four teachers in south Essex to win awards in the eastern regional finals of the annual BT sponsored event.

Mr Roach took £3,000 back to the school for his regional win.

Published Tuesday October 29, 2002

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