'Gifted' teacher is nominated for Worcestershire Education Award

Nicola Byng, a teacher at Westlands First School, has been nominated for an award in the Special Education Needs (SEN) Award category.

The person who nominated the 44-year-old writes: "Mrs Byng is a fabulous and gifted teacher who goes above and beyond for every single child she supports in her class.

"Although Mrs Byng works in a mainstream school nursery class, she supports a class with a high level of SEN and social/emotional needs.

"No child is made to feel different or excluded and regardless of ability, all children are supported to access all aspects of the classroom in an inclusive way.

"She is able to build positive relationships with families and all children and is able to identify and support children with SEN in the Early Years.

"She is a complete asset to the school and the community."

Mrs Byng, who lives in Bromsgrove, said: "It is wonderful to have been nominated - it is so nice to hear, and to be appreciated.

"I have been teaching for 21 years, it is a job I love. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.

"I'm an early years lead at the school, nursery and reception is where I spend my time.

"The nature of our school we get a lot of special needs children. I like to think of myself as a nurturing person, and working with parents in a team.

"Not having had so much contact with parents (during the pandemic) has been the hardest bit, building that partnership with them."

The awards, run by our Worcestershire titles including the Worcester News, Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal, aim to shine a light on those in education who have worked tirelessly to support, teach and care for our young people through what has been an incredibly difficult time.

Voting closes this Friday, December 17, and our panel of judges will choose the finalists, who will be featured in our titles.

The winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony in early 2022.

To make a nomination visit worcesternews.co.uk/awards/worcestershireeducationawards.