A TEACHING assistant described as a rock to the children she works with has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Teaching assistant Helen George received a nomination for the SENCO award in the the Worcestershire Education Awards which said “she is a nurse, a counsellor and a friend to the pupils she works with.”

Mrs George, 52, has been connected to Lickey Hills Primary School, near Bromsgrove, for 18 years, with her son and daughter both being former pupils.

She said: “It is lovely to have been nominated and I am very surprised. I think what is great about Lickey is that even though it is a mid-sized school, it still has the home feel to it that makes it a very special place to learn.

“My son and daughter both enjoyed their time here and they were very happy days. It is really rewarding to help a child who has complex needs and see them going on to do so well in education. Giving them the independence to cope with school and succeed is the most important thing in this job."

She added: “When I was told about the nomination I said to all my colleagues that really we have all been nominated because it is a real team effort.

“We all pitch in and go the extra mile for the pupils we work with.”

Amanda Salisbury, headteacher of the school, paid tribute to Mrs George, saying: “Helen is a very dedicated and hard working member of our team here at Lickey. She has been here for a number of years and encompasses many of our shared values. She is a lovely lady and she thoroughly deserves her nomination.”

April 18 is the deadline for nominations to the awards, which are being Run by the Worcester News in partnership with the University of Worcester.

Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges and winners are announced during a ceremony at the university.

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