EILEEN Walker, of Springvale Primary School, Penistone, has spent countless hours helping and caring for children with any issues regarding safeguarding.

Her care and attention to help support children and their familes has earned her a nomination for a Proud of Barnsley award.

Eileen has worked for a number of years at Springvale Primary school as the pastoral lead, but it is how she has impacted on the school’s pupils that led to the nomination.

Lee McClure, headteacher at the school, said in the nomination: “The impact Eileen has on the lives and happiness of our pupils at Springvale is immeasurable.

“Eileen is a special, selfless character, who helps everyone and takes her time to really understand any problems the children have.

“The children idolise her, she goes above and beyond for the children at Springvale.

“She delivers several assemblies, circle times, PHSCE lessons and spends much of her own spare time working with vulnerable families, staff who need a supportive ear, or more commonly, the children themselves.”

After helping a ten-year-old girl in year five who felt isolated, Eileen decided to start up a club for the children to attend.

The clubs hosted at the school include getting children involved with various activities with themes such as animals each week, which helps children who feel isolated at school make new friends.

Some of the children at Springvale struggle with their reading, but Lee mentioned Eileen is always there to listen to the pupils read to strengthen their reading skills.

Eileen also created the idea of having a ‘worry monster’ in school.

The ‘worry monster’ is a soft, cuddly toy which gives the chance for children to talk to the toy about any issues which may worry or even make them feel embarrassed about when talking to a teacher at school.

Lee said: “Eileen is a fantastic role model to many of our pupils at Springvale.”

Eileen Walker, pastoral lead at Springvale Primary School.

“I was so shocked to hear Lee had nominated me.

“I’ve been working at Springvale for 17 years and I think it’s the best job in the world, it is so rewarding.

“Springvale is like one big family and it is such a joy to work there.”