Sarah Rostron truly went above and beyond to help support her pupils and their families during the pandemic.

Judges commended her commitment to her school at a tumultuous time, which included her cooking food for 680 people when the canteen staff caught Covid-19. She also found a way to help disadvantaged families with internet access so that pupils could access the school’s Gold Remote Learning package from their homes, which helped support their wellbeing and safeguarding.

Staff at St Bede CofE Primary Academy, in Bolton, spoke of Rostron’s drive to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all in her care, as well as her devotion to each pupil and staff member, and her commitment to the local community. She is committed to helping staff to progress and succeed, which is demonstrated through the number of teachers who started out at St Bede as NQTs and are now in senior positions.

Rostron has embedded wellbeing throughout the school through a weekly Friday briefing, during which golden moments from the week are shared, along with teacher bingo and quiz show games to raise morale. Her uplifting songs are legendary, as are her surprise “guardian angel gifts”.

Rostron calls staff her “school family” and her “swans”, and it is clear how beloved she is by pupils and teachers alike. St Bede is a truly happy and vibrant school, and her vision and inspirational nature have helped to nurture this. Staff said that “to all the world, you may just be a headteacher, but to us and all the St Bede community, you are our hero”.

Judge Dame Joan McVittie said Rostron was “a worthy winner who was highly praised by staff, pupils and parents; an individual who went the extra mile to support and help the school and community through the pandemic, making everyone feel that they were part of a caring family”.