A TEACHING assistant was pleased to receive to Support Staff of The Year Award.

Anna Chilvers from Bengeworth Academy, Evesham said: "I am very proud and flattered, thank you to my amazing colleagues for all their support."

Anna Chilvers started at Bengeworth CE Academy around eight years ago, doing three days voluntary work a week with no pay for 18 months before becoming a qualified teaching assistant, as well as helping to run the breakfast club starting at 7.30am each day.

She is currently completing her PGCE and will hopefully become a teacher by the middle of the year.

Triskya Loxley was a finalist for the award.

She said: "It is an honour to be recognised, I see Pershore High School as a family."

Mrs Loxley, of Pershore High School, is described as much more than a teaching assistant.

She is the backbone of the language department. She knows the students at the school better than anyone else and is invaluable for advice, support and guidance.

She has supported the school through many changes and has always done more than her job description.

The pastoral team at St Bede's Catholic Middle School were also finalists in the support staff category.

The pastoral team ensure that children at the school are happy and thriving. Some of the more vulnerable children are understood well and have the right level of support put in place to help them with their emotional and social skills and wellbeing.

They offer a range of support in a designated room where they help students through group support, counselling, and meditation to make the children feel listened to and supported.

The pastoral team also get together regularly to discuss anti-bullying policies.

Kate Gallinagh said: "It was a good night that recognised how hard education staff work for children. Although we didn't win, for us it was a good acknowledgement of all the work the pastoral team put in to support the children in our setting."