Head's thanks to 'determined' staff

PRIDE in Oldham nominees, staff at Springbrook Primary School. Head of school Toni Thomason (seated, third from left) with her team

STAFF from a community special school who go "above and beyond" have been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Head of school Toni Thomason has put her team of "resilient and determined" teachers and teaching assistants forward for the accolade for the work they do day in day out at Spring Brook primary which provides provision for children with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) difficulties.

"We teach some of the most vulnerable and challenging children in the authority and have many great successes," said Toni.

"Children come to us often having been excluded, at high risk of exclusion or having completely disengaged from education, between the ages of five and 11. With the guidance of my extremely resilient and determined team, we help them rediscover a love for learning and often for the first time in their education, they feel part of a school because we are able to fully include them in all that we offer.

"Our staff are resilient, thick skinned, have a cracking sense of humour and go above and beyond what is expected of them on a regular basis.

"I'm nominating them for the award in recognition of what they give to renew the children's love of learning and their relentless determination to give them a better life.

"Our parents are very appreciative of the help we offer them and their children but I would love for the team to receive some wider acknowledgement of the work that they do."