ANOTHER nomination for the Worcestershire Education Awards has come in for a member of staff at Fort Royal Community Primary School in Worcester.

Lara Collingwood, deputy head and designated safeguarding lead, has been nominated for the Special Needs Co-ordination (SENCO) award with a nomination saying: “Lara helps to run a fantastic special needs school.

“She is also in charge of early years, which has undergone lots of changes in the last few years, and she is always easing new children and parents in and is one of the first people you meet when introduced to the school.

“Having children with special needs is so difficult but Lara is fantastic in helping families through tough times by listening and sending you towards the right help. My son hasn’t been taught by her in three years but he still talks about her.”

Mrs Collingwood, 42, has been at Fort Royal for the last nine years having started as a reception teacher. Before that she had been a teacher in mainstream schools for a decade.

She said: “It was definitely a surprise to be nominated, I know the school has had other nominations already so it is a lovely thing that someone has taken the time to sit down and write out a nomination.

“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing a child come in at the nursery level and go all the way through school and in to a mainstream school.

“My job is all about pointing parents in the right direction and getting them the support they need for themselves and their child.”

The deadline for nominations is April 18. Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges and winners are announced during a ceremony at the University Arena on June 20.

To nominate someone, go to worcesternews.co.uk/awards/worcestershire_education_awards