AN AYR headteacher was recognised as one of Scotland’s top women at a glitzy award ceremony last week.

Oonagh Browne of Queen Margaret Academy scooped the prize for services to education at the third Scottish Women’s Awards.

Mrs Browne received the gong at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where hundreds of inspiring women gathered to celebrate their stories of success.

And for the headteacher who has been at QMA for 18 months, the award topped off a fantastic time for her and the school.

She told the Advertiser: “I wasn’t expecting it at all, it was a lovely surprise.

“There was 10 other amazing nominees from within education, some from Universities and secondary across Scotland.

“It was a really brilliant, event, it was great to hear from some amazing women, with amazing stories, skills and all fully deserving of their awards.

“I was really proud to be part of it, its great for young women to be inspired by others.”

The award comes ahead of a big move the schools new home later this autumn.

Mrs Browne who has been teaching since 2002, said the award is also for the great support shown by pupils and staff.

“This year has been really good for the school, we had a glowing report from an inspection and achieved our best results and of course moving into our new building.

“The award reflects all the great work the staff and the pupils do every day. It’s the success of the school. It’s come on leaps and bounds in the past 18 months, it’s about where the school is at just now, as opposed to me.”

“People keep mentioning it, but I am keeping quiet about it. When we move into the new school I’ll put the award in the foyet with the school’s other achievements.”

Another Ayr winner at the awards was Kirsty Cassels who won Social Entrepreneur of the Year for her environmentally friendly social enterprise Building Together CIC Building Together CIC.