INSPIRATIONAL staff at a primary school have been nominated for a York Community Pride Award.

St George's Roman Catholic Primary has been praised by parents, who have nominated it for the School of the Year prize.

The award, sponsored by recruitment company Work With Schools, honours schools which have had a positive impact on pupils and the wider community.

Katharine Johnson, whose children have attended St George's, said teachers and office staff are "fantastic role models".

She added: “The inspirational staff, led by Mrs Patton-Statham, are such dedicated individuals who are all amazing at what they do.

“They are such kind individuals that I know my children are in safe hands."

She said staff go the extra mile for their pupils, adding: “When my son lost his hearing aid, office manager Mrs Bradshaw didn’t give up on the search. I received a phone call from her saying she had checked the children’s mud pit and found it right at the bottom.

“I can’t praise the teachers enough. They are all such happy, inspirational people.

“As a parent it is very hard to hand your child over to other people to look after and nurture, to walk away and leave them for six hours, but being able to leave them at St George’s is a privilege.”

Head teacher Dee Patton-Statham was delighted to hear that the school has been nominated.

She said: “I was overwhelmed. We work here because we absolutely love being here for the children. Everything we do is for the good of our pupils. We know it is a happy, friendly, family-orientated school and I’m really proud to see that parents have also acknowledged that.

“We try to be a school for the community, we are a Catholic school but we are open to everybody and everybody is welcome here.”

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden.

All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area. Three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed.

Entries can be posted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Or submit your nomination online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride and the closing date for entries is July 27.

Nominations must include a supporting statement and may include a photograph, which unfortunately we will be unable to return.