Diane started as a contract cleaner 10 years ago and since then, amazingly, has acquired four other jobs at the school. So she’s also the caretaker, lollipop lady, midday supervisor and, latterly, ICT technician at this 180-pupil school for four to seven-year-olds. “She admits she needs a bigger piece of paper for her job description,” says ever-grateful headteacher Angela Styles, who nominated Diane for our flowers, champagne and chocolates.

Diane used to live locally but now drives 25 miles from Reading and stays on site from 7am until 5pm. She has family, including her first grandchild, living locally to the school, so she goes to see them in any spare time she has.

“She’s incredibly efficient but she also enjoys her work,” says Angela Styles. Diane is an influential member of the staff team, knowing all the children and keeping everyone in the picture. “Almost coincidentally, she has a knack for spreading the word and spotting what needs doing.”

When Tylers Green received accreditation as a “healthy” school, Diane was singled out by the judges for her excellent communication skills. This popular first school is a beacon primary and shares expertise and in-service training with other primaries. And it was commended as outstanding in the most recent chief inspector’s report school.

In response to the workload agreement and the needs of the school, Diane was recently appointed ICT technician, working alongside the teacher co-ordinator to run a suite with 14 computers. Diane loads software, helps classes with their work and is a troubleshooter whenever equipment such as printers seizes up. “She’s incredibly practical - she even mends the photocopier,” says Angela Styles. “We’ll fall to pieces if she ever leaves us.” It’s a good job then that Diane is a very youthful granny.

Is there an unsung hero in your school? Tell Sarah Bayliss, TESFriday editor, about him or her at the address below. Flowers kindly supplied by Marks amp; Spencer