A TEACHING assistant at West Craven High School, Barnoldswick, has been rewarded for her valuable contribution to life at the academy in a presentation in honour of National Teaching Assistants Day.

Each year, Teaching Personnel invites schools to nominate teaching assistants who deserve recognition for the contribution they make to the education and support of school children across the UK.

Nicola Freeman was presented with certificates, flowers and chocolates by Robert Higginbottom from Teaching Personnel for her dedication.

Nominated because of the extra mile she goes for students, the school says Mrs Freeman supports extracurricular activities both at lunch and after school, and offers support to students with special educational needs and those in Year 11, assisting with their learning in core subjects and developing study skills.

Lynne Blomley, Executive Principal for Secondary Education at Pendle Education Trust, said: “Teaching assistants are a vital part of our family and it was fantastic to see Mrs Freeman being recognised by her colleagues for the role she plays at West Craven every day.

“I’d like to thank Mrs Freeman, as well as all of the other teaching assistants in our academies, for their passion and commitment and for helping our students to achieve their potential in their time with us.”