Five teachers from two schools in Norfolk and Suffolk have been recognised for their achievements at a teaching awards ceremony.

Eastern Daily Press: Mildenhall College Academy principal Susan Byles, centre, with winners Martin Sexton and Clare Clay, representing the music team. Picture: Gary WilliamsMildenhall College Academy principal Susan Byles, centre, with winners Martin Sexton and Clare Clay, representing the music team. Picture: Gary Williams (Image: Gary Williams photography)

The teachers, from Iceni Academy in Methwold and Mildenhall College Academy, were honoured at the Teaching Awards held by the Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), which runs the two schools.

Richard Evans, who was hailed as a 'true genius, who loves what he's doing', inspired some pupils at Iceni Academy to be the first in their family to attend university.

Pupils at the academy took their GCSE Computer Science a year early as a result of their progress in Mr Evans' class, and are now studying GCSE Economics.

In their nomination for the ATT Pupil Ambassadors' Award (Secondary), pupils at the academy said the teacher taught them the 'true value of hard work'.

Mildenhall College Academy's Martin Sexton won the ATT STEM Award in recognition of the opportunities he offers to pupils to develop their problem solving skills in a range of national challenges.

Seven pupils were in the top 10pc of the country in the UK Bebras computational thinking challenge - a national competition which raises awareness of computer science.

Mr Sexton is now preparing to take pupils on a trip to Silicon Valley, California, next year.

The academy's music team, Clare Clay, Jane Sayer and Susan Wright, were presented with the ATT Creativity Award for their inspirational impact on pupils and the wider community.

The team's 'passion and unwavering support' for pupils in developing their creativity and performance was praised in their nomination.

Mrs Sayer was also recently highly commended in the national Music Teacher's Award for Excellence after being nominated by local choir Voices for Change, which she runs for those with special needs.

The teachers were among 22 staff members from 13 of the Trust's academies who were recognised at the awards, which were held in Birmingham.

Ian Cleland, chief executive officer of ATT, said: 'I was delighted to be able to present the awards to each of the winners who had made such a valued contribution to the work of the Trust and the achievement of its pupils.'