A SCHOOL cannot function without all its cogs working together as one and support staff are a vital component of the machine.

The shortlist for this award included: Vicky Jamieson from Immanuel College, Riva Ljimani from Copthorne Primary and Monica Taylor from St Matthews Catholic Primary.

The winner was Vicky Jamieson, who admitted she was "overwhelmed" to even be nominated.

This dedicated member of support staff has worked right through lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic, even standing in as a toilet attendant at one point.

She also has a real passion for helping children achieve and finds it rewarding when her strategies have allowed pupils to change in a positive way.

Ms Jamieson describes the role of a support staff member as "enabling children to see their potential".

She said: "Some of them need a little bit of help with that, to build up a bit of resilience, and offer them the tools to help them achieve.

"I think it's really important you can gain a relationship with children and gain their trust and be very approachable, so the children can come to you.

"Helping people - it's a massive reward when you see somebody change and you've helped a child.

"For instance, a child that's self-harming, you help them and give them strategies to help and it does work."

Ms Jamieson, who started a social work degree on the day of the awards and is now leaving Immanuel, said the school is all about teamwork.

She added: "I think it's in the title, 'All God's children'.

"We all work in different ways to support the children, in lots of different ways.

"Even down to the dinner ladies, everybody has their own role.

"I don't think anybody does their job description, we all go that little extra mile."

The coronavirus pandemic has been massively challenging, but such barriers and unique circumstances has brought some joy to Ms Jamieson.

She said: "I think it has (been massively challenging) for everybody, but it's been exciting.

"On some days, I've been a toilet attendant.

"It's been crazy, but I don't think we'll ever experience it again - it's been fun."

Read our other in-depth interviews with each winner below:

Or take a look at how the overall event went here...