A HEADTEACHER has put her awards nomination success down to the fact that she likes nothing more than sharing lunch and a chinwag with her pupils.

Helen Boyce, of Frome Valley First School, has been nominated as Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School in the South of England Teaching Awards.

She was put forward for the honour by a former pupil of the Crossways school – but has no idea which pupil it was.

Mrs Boyce said: “That person wanted to remain anonymous, but I would really like to know who it was so I can thank them.”

The nomination is a double celebration for Mrs Boyce because she will also be celebrating 10 years of headship at the school this year.

She said: “We are a real team at the school and we work well together and support each other very well.

“To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t have nearly as many good ideas if I didn’t have such a good team behind me to share ideas with.

“It would be lovely to win and it would be a lovely reflection on the school.”

Mrs Boyce plans to attend the awards ceremony on June 3 at Winchester Guildhall with her deputy Julie Thorp.

Mrs Boyce said: “I still spend about half the week teaching.

“When I teach, that’s the best part of my job.

“I sometimes eat lunch with the children and like to have a chat with them.

“I don’t think they are afraid of me at all, which is a good thing!”

DEDICATED Jane Taylor from Weymouth was delighted to be in the regional final of the Teaching Awards. She was nominated by her pupils at Budmouth Technology College in Chickerell in the Teaching Assistant of the Year category. Mrs Taylor was selected to be in the south of England regional final on June 3 in Winchester. She said: “It is a real honour. “The pupils nominated me for the award. Budmouth is a very supportive school and everything everybody does is geared towards the success and achievement of the pupils.” She added: “I love my job and hope that I make a difference.” Mrs Taylor, aged 49, has been a teaching assistant at Budmouth for seven years. She works with students of all ages and abilities in the classroom as well as on a one-to-one basis. She is also co-ordinator of the students’ peer leadership team, whose members are involved in mentoring and anti bullying work. Members of the group nominated Mrs Taylor for the award. There are 12 categories with three nominations in each.