A TEACHING assistant who “always gives 100 per cent” has been nominated for Support Staff of the Year at the Worcestershire Education Awards.

Kirsty Richardson, 31, has been working at Cutnall Green CE Primary School, near Droitwich, for five years, having originally started as a lunchtime supervisor before moving up through the ranks.

She said: “It is lovely and a real surprise to be nominated.

“Being a teaching assistant is great as you can really get to know the pupils you are working with. I do one-to-one work, as well as covering the lessons if the teacher has to run out and deal with something.

“I get real satisfaction from the job knowing that I have helped make the pupils' day better and seeing them develop is the best thing about it.”

In the nomination sent in for Mrs Richardson, it says: “Kirsty gives 100 per cent every day to her job, she loves what she does and I wish she saw how amazing she is.

“She is always thinking of new ways to encourage the children to love learning and adapting activities to ensure that learning is fun for them at their individual level.

“Kirsty makes time for the children, she talks to them about their life outside of school and their likes and dislikes so is always up to date on their well-being, and passes on any concerns immediately to the appropriate person so that we can run a proactive approach to learning in the classroom.

“Anything asked of her is completed straight away to a high standard and Kirsty reflects on what she is doing continually to ensure that she is up to date and completing things to the best of her ability.”

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

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