A “KIND” teacher has been nominated for a Worcestershire Education Award after being praised for turning around a child’s life.

Sarah Vaughan, teacher and assistant head from Perryfields Primary Pupil Referral Unit, has been nominated for Teacher of the Year Award.

Miss Vaughan, aged 49, said: “I am surprised and quite embarrassed to be nominated.

"There are so many teachers out there doing a good job.

"We have an amazing team around us. I love working here.

"The school has the ability to tailor the curriculum and enrichment activities to the children’s needs.”

After working in mainstream schools for 22 years, Miss Vaughan began her role at the school in Glebe Close, Worcester, in September.

She added: “I love having an involvement with all the children and being a part of their life.

Being a teacher is about changing lives and helping pupils develop and learn.”

Patrycja Rejkowicz, a parent from the school, claims Miss Vaughan has turned her life around.

She added: “Last summer my daughter Heidi was permanently excluded from her mainstream school for hitting and hurting staff every day.

"Heidi was given a place in Sarah’s class at Perryfields and the school and especially Sarah have been amazing. She is unbelievably kind and a caring person.

“Right from the start Sarah made me feel comfortable to talk to her about all of my worries, always reassuring me that we would get to the bottom of what was causing Heidi to behave in this way.

“I never worry about Heidi when she is at Perryfields with Sarah.

"She is flourishing in Sarah’s class and now loves school.

"Heidi never used to talk about school but now tells everyone about how good her school is.

“Heidi is so happy she does not want to come home.

"It is often difficult to get her to let go of Sarah’s hand at the end of the day and leave with me.

"Sarah quite often has to piggyback her to my car.

“I could not recommend Sarah more highly for this award. The care she has for children is unbelievable and the passion she has to make things better is untrue.”

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