NOMINATIONS have been pouring in every day for the Worcestershire Education Awards.

Among them is one for Anna-Marie Rooney in the early years category.

Mrs Rooney, 37, has been at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic First School Academy in Redditch for 15 years. She is senior assistant head in addition to being Key Stage Two leader and Year 3 teacher.

According to Mrs Rooney, trust is a vital part of making a school successful.

She said: “Without trust between me and the pupils and me and the parents, the school simply couldn’t work. The idea of being a team and working together is something that runs through the school at all levels and we couldn’t ask for a better group of parents and pupils who all work with us.

“If you want to get good results, you need to start with respect. I try to make sure all the pupils know that I trust them and I respect them. They know for example that I expect them to tell the truth because of that respect between us.

“This stage of education is so important because the values and principles you learn set you up for the rest of your life. You always remember that one teacher who inspired you and I want to try to be that teacher.”

Though she has been nominated for an individual award, Mrs Rooney said the whole school is deserving of an award, adding: “I am honoured to be nominated like this but really it is the whole school that deserves recognition.

“It really is a team effort and every teacher, pupil and member of staff at the school should be recognised for the work they do.

The deadline for nominations for our awards, which we run in partnership with University of Worcester, is April 18. Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges with winners announced during an awards ceremony at the University Arena on June 20.

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