BURNT Mill Academy is the only school in Essex to be shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

The school, in First Avenue, Harlow, is among just eight secondaries in line for a TES Schools Award from newspaper The Times.

The awards recognise the outstanding contribution to education made by teams and individuals both inside and outside schools.

Helena Mills, head of the Burnt Mill Co-operative Academy Trust schools, nominated Burnt Mill for the award.

The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in Park Lane, London, on Friday June 19.