AMONG the first to be nominated for the 2019 Worcestershire Education Awards is Kempsey Primary School.

The school has been put forward for Primary School of the Year and headteacher Bryony Baynes spoke to the Worcester News about what makes the school special.

Mrs Baynes took over as headteacher in 2013 and said the school was in a difficult place.

She said: “The school had been through quite a lot of change and trauma and was quite a sad, broken school. I was told by everyone ‘this school breaks headteachers’ but six years on we are really thriving.”

“Over the last few years it has been a real process of getting everyone involved, from staff to pupils and parents as well. We have all put lots of hard work in and I am proud of everyone at the school.”

Part of the process of getting the school back on track has been an emphasis on building a good rapport between staff and pupils.

Mrs Baynes said staff at the school know the names of every pupil whether they teach them or not. Extra after-school clubs are on offer and staff will sometimes make toast and hot chocolate for a child who hasn’t had breakfast.

The relationships in the school were recognised by Ofsted in 2014 as one of its strongest points, and Mrs Baynes said: “Our staff are fantastic and they are so child focussed. In addition to that, parents are supportive which makes a huge difference.

“It makes me very proud to see our pupils achieving, not just in primary school but once they move on to high school as well.”

The focus on relationships was seen recently when, in September, pupils and staff from Kempsey Primary raised £7,000 through a JustGiving page set up in memory of Mrs Baynes’ husband, Matthew, who died last year.

The money went towards one of the Worcester Stands Tall giraffe sculptures, which is now on display at the school.

The deadline for nominations is April 18. Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges and winners are announced during an awards ceremony at the University Arena on June 20.

To nominate someone, go to worcesternews.co.uk/awards/worcestershire_education_awards