THE announcement of the Support Staff Member of the Year award was streamed live on Facebook over the Atlantic, as winner Lynne Dobson was in the USA at the time.

Mrs Dobson retired earlier this academic year, and so was taking a well earned chance to enjoy the Californian sun when the winner was announced.

She has worked in Bradford schools for 42 years, and was nominated for her most recent work, in teaching art at Peel Park Primary.

In that time she has been a volunteer, parent governor and teaching assistant, and has helped over 10,000 pupils learn the joys of art.

Head Lloyd Mason Edwards had nominated her, saying: “Lynne has played a key role in making sure art has always been as high a profile in the curriculum as any other subject.

“She firmly believes that all children have a strength and by offering them different but quality experiences they as children and we as adults can discover these once- hidden talents.”

Her work with pupils has meant the school has been recognised numerous times in art competitions.

Her family were at the ceremony, streaming the announcement she had won using Facebook.

Mr Mason Edwards accepted the award on her behalf, saying she would be “over the moon” to have won, and dedicating the award to support staff across Bradford.

He said: “Thousands of children have gone through our classes, and they have gone on to win awards across Bradford, Yorkshire and nationally. One of the pupils she taught has even gone on to do a scholarship in Eton.

“She has also run art classes for staff. They have gone from not being able to draw to being able to produce great pieces of art.”

The category was sponsored by Exceed Training Academy.

l Honourable mentions:

Nicola Dudley, Killinghall Primary School

Simone Hinchliffe, St Anthony’s Catholic Primary