THREE schools are in the running for School of the Year at this week's 2022 Education Awards.

The award, sponsored by Sekhon Group, will be one of nine presented at the Education Awards, on Thursday evening at Bradford Hotel.

Russell Hall Primary School

A SCHOOL is taking pride in being at the heart of a Bradford community.

Staff at Russell Hall Primary School in Queensbury thinks of the school as a small family, which rubs off on the children as well as members of the community.

Andrea Grist, headteacher at Russell Hall Primary School, said: “I think as a small school at the heart of Queensbury village we’re almost like a small family.

“I think a lot of the parents and the community think of that as an extension of their family and certainly the children do.

“So it’s really nice that’s been recognised by the parents.

“We’re really proud of that. I’m just so proud of all of our staff and children, the way we work as a community and to be nominated for School of the Year is a lovely recognition of all of the hard work that they put in and genuinely every member of staff plays their part in the school.

“That is what makes it such a lovely place to be.

Andrea added: “I absolutely love my job. This was my first headship, coming to Russell Hall.

“It’s been an pleasure and a privilege. I’ve been here eight years.”

On being nominated for the award, she said: “It’s lovely to be nominated at this point because I leave at the end of this term, so as I move on to my next school, it’ really nice to think we’ve achieved that in this time.“

Blakehill Primary School

NOTHING is too much trouble for a Bradford school that prides itself on creating a good environment for its staff, children and families.

Lisa Keighley, headteacher at Blakehill Primary School, said: “We’re a great staff team. Everything we achieve as a school is done through teamwork.

We have a mutual respect for one another. We enjoy what we do in school.

We strive hard to make sure these children thrive in our care.

That’s our major achievement. It’s about working together to create a good environment for everybody, not just the staff but obviously the pupils and our families too.”

Another school representative said: “We always talk about our Blakehill family. Everybody does say we are a really, really good team.

“It’s a great place to work and nobody ever leaves. Once we’re here we just stay and we’re really proud of everything we do for our children.

“Our children have a really good education here.”

A parent who made the nomination also sang the school’s praises saying their child “comes home telling me about all the amazing things they learned and that all the staff from reception to teachers to the head are always so helpful. Nothing is too much trouble”.

Trinity Academy Bradford

STUDENTS and staff at a Bradford school are celebrating a turnaround in pupil behaviour which has had a positive effect on everyone, Tracy Moore, SEN admin and teaching assistant, said: “I have worked at this school for 17 years, and since Trinity MAT took over in February 2021 the changes I witnessed have been absolutely amazing.

“Before the takeover, to be totally honest, I just felt like we were nobodies, we were overlooked.

“Now, it’s totally different. I feel valued and if it’s a problem, the support is always there. I nominated because I want to celebrate how far we’ve come in such short space of time.

“I bless the day that Trinity took over and look forward to the coming months and years under this trust.”

One students said: “Before Trinity Academy Bradford, we’d have supply teachers most lessons and having supplies meant children were not behaving. But now it’s more organised so we get to learn stuff.”

Another student said: “There’s been a lot of changes in behaviour and in the staff as well as the students. The behaviour from the students is much better. They know the consequences and what lines to not cross. We all feel like we have a responsibility on our back.”