TEACHERS and schools were honoured at Darlington's first education awards last night.

The borough council presented accolades to teachers, teaching assistants and schools at a ceremony held in the St George Hotel, at Teesside International Airport.

Nominations for the awards were made by schools, apart from two categories, most community-focused school and excellence in all-round performance, which were chosen by the authority's education department.

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, introduced the event, which was hosted by Darlington council's director of education, Geoff Pennington.

Councillor Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for education, presented the awards.

He said: "The event gives us as an authority the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, commitment and achievement of our staff and gives them the chance to get together away from the school environment to share ideas and to share in each other's success."

The award winners were:

Leadership of the year - the federation team at Eastbourne Comprehensive School and Hurworth Maths and Computing College.

Primary school teacher of the year - Janet Swainston, Heighington Church of England School.

Secondary school teacher of the year - June Harness, Haughton Community School.

Newly qualified primary school teacher of the year - Susan Wilson, Dodmire Infant School.

Newly qualified secondary school teacher of the year - Monique Rickaby, Eastbourne Comprehensive School.

Teaching assistant of the year - Melanie Pitchford, Hurworth Maths and Computing College.

Support staff member of the year - Lilian Shutt, Middleton St George CE Primary School.

Governor of the Year - Barbara Collishaw, Longfield Comprehensive School.

Most community-focused school - Skerne Park Primary School.

Excellence in all-round performance - Heathfield Primary School and Hurworth Maths and Computing College.