This award, sponsored by The Penny Appeal, recognises those who volunteer their time to helping a school and its pupils succeed.

Bingley Grammar - National Citizenship Service

THE work Bingley Grammar School has done with getting students involved in the National Citizenship Service has landed the school with a nomination in this category.
Around 45 pupils have taken part in the scheme, volunteering their time and making a “huge difference” in their communities.
Nominating the school, NCS member Clare Higgins said: “They are always warmly welcoming us into school and are keen to do whatever they can. 
“The senior leadership team have advocated NCS to the highest level and really care about the personal development of their students, their aspirations and futures.
“This trickles down and every member of staff we have met has been enthusiastic and gone out of their way to push their students to take part in NCS and achieve their goals.
“The efforts the school went to to encourage enrichment opportunities for their students as well as ensuring they helped the community around them are truly deserving of this award.”
The students involved have helped raise money for the British Red Cross, Bradford Council and residential homes, among other causes.
Student Ethan Banks said: “It is something everyone should do, it really helps further your experiences outside of the classroom.”

Lesley Matthews, Atlas Priamry School

LESLEY Matthews, a volunteer for the Beanstalk charity, has been nominated in recognition of her work with Atlas Primary School.
She has been visiting the school for the past eight years, and provides one-on-one literacy support to vulnerable children who have fallen behind with their reading. 
The nomination, which came from the school, said: “Mrs Matthews has extended her role to offer whole-class reading sessions to other classes in school as part of our better reading project so the whole school now benefits from her.
“Mrs Matthews is a dedicated and kind volunteer who works very hard to engage the children in her group. She is patient and thoughtful and will go out of her way to investigate additional strategies to engage a child when a particular strategy isn’t working. 
“When she goes away on holiday she will always send a postcard to the class so they can see what she has been up to and learn about the place she has visited.  She is a real gem and we are so grateful for all she does for us.”
Mrs Matthews said: “It is such fun, you can’t possibly not love working with them.
“I would carry on doing it whatever. The reward is in the relationship with the children.”  

Tracey Phillipson and Karen Gill, St Joseph's

TRACEY Philipson and Karen Gill, who both work at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, have been jointly nominated for the Voluntary Contribution award.
Although they are both teaching assistants, they made the shortlist due to all the extra work they take on.
The pair were nominated by Rabina Sabir, who works at the school and said: “Tracey and Karen are a great asset to our school. They both work full time as TAs in the school, but apart from that they run the breakfast club every morning. They also give up their time to organise the school discos three times a year, movie nights, after-school cheerleading and dance clubs, Mother’s Day shops and Father’s Day shops where the children can buy gifts for their parents, Christmas fairs and raffles throughout the year.
“The money that they raise they put back into the school, and it has recently helped pay for a prayer garden. They have also paid for the school stage and the media equipment. 
“They really deserve to win as the school would not be able to provide the extra things without their fund raising.”
The pair said a win would be a great recognition for the school.
Year 4 teacher Sarah Coates said: “They want what is best for the children at all times.”