Headteacher John Berry admits he ambushed Sue Cudworth when a vacancy came up on his governing body. The parent of two boys at the 235-pupil St Peter’s - one has now moved up to secondary school - she’d wanted to help out “right from the start”. Mr Berry was delighted when she agreed. “She’s involved in every aspect of school life - in the classroom, on school visits, with the PTA, baking cakes...” The list goes on.

“She’s also very knowledgeable,” he says. “She’s interested in the way the school works.” St Peter’s is building a new ICT suite - which, Mr Berry says, “wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for people like Sue”.

But she is also known for dressing up. Year 6 teacher Julie Martin - who nominated Sue for our flowers, chocolate and champagne - says her most memorable role was as Queen Elizabeth I. “As part of a Year 5 Tudor topic, the children went on a visit to a performing arts group and she researched the role, made the costume and played the part very convincingly,” says Julie. Recently Sue went with Year 6 to a camp dressed as a land girl. “I don’t know if she enjoys the trips and supporting the children, or she just sees it as an excuse to dress up.”

Sue also works for the NatWest bank and each year applies for an award of pound;250 that the bank donates to schools where employees work voluntarily. This provides St Peter’s with much-needed resources.

Julie says Sue also has a ready smile and witty comments “for anyone she passes”. She adds: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to publicly thank her and share what she does for the school with others.”

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