A ‘SPECIAL’ reception class teacher at Iron Acton Primary School has been nominated to win our Teacher of the Year competition.

Emma Allen, who is in her fourth year of her teaching career which she started at the village school, has been described as an ‘excellent teacher’ who helps settle children into their first year at school.

Miss Allen, 28, who lives in Bristol, is also said to make learning fun for four to six-year-olds in reception and Year 1.

Her nomination from current pupil Theo Stanley-Foote said: “Miss Allen teaches reception and Class 1. She was my first ever teacher and she is so special.

“When I started school I was very anxious and used to cry when the bell rang in the morning.

“Miss Allen was very kind to me and made a great effort to settle me in.

“She is fun and makes learning very exciting. She arranges lots of trips and activities for us and outdoor play.”

Head teacher Mike Riches said: “She is an excellent teacher.

“She is very enthusiastic and knows all the children and their families well. She works alongside children and families to make sure they are comfortable and seems to have done that really well.”

He added: “She has very high standards and has been appointed a senior leader on a temporary basis. As part of that she is looking at the curriculum and making it more exciting for children and arranging visits and trips and getting parents involved more.”

Miss Allen runs a recorder club at the school, which has 84 pupil places, in the run up to its Christmas Nativity play.