We receive few teachers’ names - they’re too busy nominating their classroom assistants for our flowers, champagne and chocolates. So this week we’re especially pleased to congratulate Ros Hele, deputy head, Senco and class teacher at Suffield Park infant and nursery school in Cromer, Norfolk.
For years Ros and her special needs pupils have worked in a leaky, draughty mobile classroom alongside three others. But today everybody at this 245-pupil school will celebrate the official opening of the Jubilee classrooms, marking the success of a long campaign to replace the mobiles.
Headteacher Ian Money, who nominated Ros, says the new building, which includes a suite of rooms for special needs, is “like heaven, the ultimate”. Ros is the guardian angel, teaching 11 statemented children with a range of conditions from autism to Down’s syndrome. While assessment is the aim, most of the children complete their infant education here and sometimes move permanently into mainstream classes with a helper.
Contacts with parents are close. “Ros has many jobs to do but she always has time to care about people, and that’s what really counts,” says Mr Money. “The love and dedication she gives to her pupils goes way beyond normal duties.”
Congratulations are due too to Mary Luh, former headteacher at Suffield Park, who started the crusade to improve the school’s facilities and who will cut the ribbon at today’s official opening. She joined the school way back in 1977 - the year of the Queen’s silver jubilee.
Send the name of your Friday Hero to Sarah Bayliss, Friday, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX, or email sarah.bayliss@tes.co.uk. Flowers kindly supplied by Marks amp; Spencer
