A new headteacher has praised staff and the local community following his nomination for a Worcestershire Education Award.

Lee Card was only made headteacher at Oldbury Park since the start of this academic year but has turned the school around already, according to the parent who nominated him for an award, which is being run by the Worcester News in conjunction with the Unviversity of Worcester.

However, Mr Card says he couldn’t have done it without the help of his staff.

He said: “It has been a fantastic first term for the school. There is a feeling of positivity, of purpose and a real energy to the school; it is a genuine privilege to come and work with the Oldbury community each day.

“The nomination is both humbling and surprising but anybody that works in schools knows that the power is in the full team – and by that I mean EVERYBODY!

“We all pull together here at Oldbury and I cannot express strongly enough what a dedicated and hardworking team we have here at the school.

“I believe every school should sit at the heart of its community; a place where people feel welcomed, safe and invited to be part of the conversations of our world here.”

He added: “I spoke to the team about the nomination when it came in and made it very clear that I would be recognising it on behalf of them all.

“It is a collective effort in which everyone plays a part. If the judging panel decide that this award should sit with me then I think I will rename it ‘The Headteacher of the Best Staff of the Year Award’!”

Since joining the school in September 2020, having previously worked at Cherry Orchard, Mr Card has experienced one of the most difficult periods for the education sector.

Already he has introduced initiatives such as Hot Chocolate with the Head and a Family Room which gives him a chance to better engage with pupils and parents.

“With less restrictions placed on us than in the 20-21 academic year, the greatest pleasure is being able to focus our minds on the curriculum we offer the children.

“I don’t think that the challenges have gone away but the way in which we are managing them in education evolves as we learn more.

“All those working in schools have had to be responsive and flexible in these past two years in order to try and ensure that each and every pupil still gets access to an excellent curriculum and social opportunities to thrive.”

The winners of the awards will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony in February. The deadline for entries is Friday, December 17.

Details on how to nominate a school, teacher, or pupil can be found here.

If you or your business or organisation is interested in sponsoring an award please contact dale.godliman@newsquest.co.uk