She lives on site and certainly does much more than caretaking, according to headteacher Ginny Dorrington, who nominated her for our flowers, champagne and chocolates.

When the 250 seven to 11-year-old pupils came back from the summer holidays they were greeted - as usual - by gleaming corridors and immaculate cloakrooms. “It looked absolutely beautiful,” says Mrs Dorrington. It’s not an easy site to look after, with big grounds and a sprawling Seventies building, but security cameras were installed last term and gave Pam a quieter summer.

She’s a keen gardener and runs the school gardening club, with an annual busy Lizzie competition to see who can grow the best plants from seedlings. She also runs a weekly “tidy cloakroom” competition, visits the cash and carry for the school disco’s food and drink, has painted the library and is so kind to visiting tradesmen that “they’ll do anything for us”.

Ginny Dorrington says Pam is a lovely, caring woman who is appreciated by everyone at the school.

She starts early, preparing pre-school tea and coffee for any members of staff who want them, and has a “secret supply of biscuits for hungry heads”. Mrs Dorrington adds: “Pam contributes so much to the life of the school - what would we do without her?”

On the first Friday of term, Pam was busy again, unpacking and cleaning new desks - a job that easily could have waited. Thank you, Pam.