Teachers from six Croydon schools were honoured for their outstanding achievements in the classroom.

They were invited to a lunch where Christine Gilbert, Ofsted chief inspector, praised their efforts to provide a first-class education for their pupils.

Atwood Primary School, Gonville Primary School, Red Gates Special School, St Giles Special School, Roke primary and Whitehorse Manor Junior School were represented at the event at Gibson Hall in the City of London last month after gaining ‘outstanding’ ratings in their Ofsted inspections.

Miss Gilbert praised the excellent providers. She said: "Excellence does not happen by chance, these providers have a real drive to inspire, challenge, and support children, young people and adult learners. But there is no reason why everyone can't be outstanding, I hope they will be a source of inspiration to others."

Mark Ducker, head teacher at Gonville Primary, was invited to the lunch after his school was judged to be outstanding by Ofsted inspectors in November 2008.

He said: “Often it is the negative stories about education that get picked up. There are so many good schools and committed professionals doing a really good job, it’s great to have some of the positives and success stories heard.”

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said: “To have one school invited to what was a prestigious event would be a something to shout about, to have six demonstrates perfectly that there are some inspirational people doing great things in our schools.”