AS primary or nursery school teacher caring for the children’s well-being is the top priority and no more so than this past year.

Children have faced unimaginable upheaval in the past 12 months.

The impact on the youngest, who have struggled to deal with the things they have seen, has been profound.

That’s why this year’s nursery/primary teacher of the year award is so important.

The shortlist for this award included Lynne Armstrong of Trinity All Saints Primary, Rayfa Ali of Sandal Primary, and Nichola Lunn and Val Bottomley of Eldwick Primary.

The winner of the award was year 6 teacher Rayfa Ali who has been at her school for five years ever since she qualified.

Her responsibilities include, managing the quality of teaching and learning across the maths curriculum, and offering support to staff.

She has been a staff governor for the last four years.

“I am really pleased,” she said.

“The main thing for me is the children leaving the class with those life skills to be a good neighbour to each other.

“Watching them reach their milestones on a day-to-day basis that drives me.

“You get your self-satisfaction from that because you are making a difference in a young child’s life.You are helping shape their futures.”

When asked how she has coped teaching through the pandemic, Rayfa added: “It has been really challenging.

"There have been days where you are not sure what is going on, but the ultimate goal is we care for those young people out there and we want them to progress in their learning, making sure they are academically and socially achieving.

“It has been about keeping in touch with them and make sure they have got all the support they need to get through this difficult time. Like adults but more so for them because they are unaware at all the things happening.”