Jessie Pearce is a former dinner lady and now a volunteer reading helper at Winterbourne junior girls school, Thornton Heath, in the London borough of Croydon Winterbourne, the last remaining girls-only junior school in Britain, has more than 350 pupils. Jessie started work there 30 years ago and since her retirement nine years ago has not missed a single week hearing girls read in the school “Reading Room”. Headteacher Mary Shelton-Smith nominates Jesie, saying she is very energetic and always expects the best of her pupils. “She has seen countless children gain confidence and begin to love reading. No one deserves this bouquet more.”

Please send the name of your Friday Hero - and why he or she should get a bouquet - to Sarah Bayliss, Friday magazine, Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX, or email sarah.bayliss@tes.co.uk. Flowers kindly supplied by Marks and Spencer