SCHOOLS in Hillingdon are celebrating after the borough was among the winners at the inaugural London Teacher of the Year Awards at the Royal Aeronautical Society on Friday.

It was a particularly memorable occasion for Preetmal Poonith, of Barnhill Community High in Hayes, who was one of the winners of the 10 London-wide awards.

He won the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) award for London as a whole.

Also among the honours was Natalie King, of Harefield Academy, who was named secondary teacher of the year for Ealing and Hillingdon district.

The awards were organised by the charity, Inspire Schools. Its chief executive, Simon Dolby, said: “These teachers and support staff really do amazing work expanding the horizons and opportunities of young people across the capital.

Guests included best-selling children’s author Dan Freedman and Stephen Metcalfe MP, of the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee,

londonteacheroftheyear.co.uk