YATE primary school teacher Laura Hobbs has been described as ‘incredibly dedicated’ for her work with children who need extra help as well as mainstream pupils.

Miss Hobbs, who teachers a mixed Year 3 and 4 class at North Road Primary School, has three pupils with additional needs and four others who require more support. She receives support from four teaching assistants and has been nominated in our Teacher of the Year competition for her ability to create a sense of inclusion and class cohesion.

Nominating the 33-year-old teacher, district councillor for Ladden Brook Cllr Marian Lewis said: “She is an incredibly dedicated teacher, able to ensure the inclusion of all.

“She has to manage three statemented children, four others needing extra help and the timetables for six teaching assistants as well as caring for mainstream students and the needs of higher achievers.”

Miss Hobbs, who lives in Dursley, said she tried to teach her class that all pupils were valued.

“I love working at North Road, it is a small school and the children are fantastic,” she told the Gazette. “I teach a class with a variety of needs and I recognise the importance of all the individuals no matter what their ability is.

“Whatever we are doing we all do it together. It is all about making learning fun and exciting and the feeling of inclusion, I value the importance of all of them.”

Miss Hobbs is credited with arranging a host of fun activities including a recent circus skills session and mini beast workshop.

Pupils, parents, staff and residents across the area put forward teachers for our Teacher of the Year award to celebrate their skill and dedication in one of the most demanding professions.

Voting to find a winner for each of the Gazette's three areas, for the Stroud district area (Dursley, Cam, Berkeley and Wotton), the Thornbury area and in Yate and Chipping Sodbury, is now open.

Their prize will be a meal-for-two at one of the Gazette’s Pub of the Year winners – The Falcon Steakhouse in Wotton; The Royal Oak in Cromhall; the Rose and Crown in Rangeworthy – as well as a trophy. 

Voting is open until Friday, June 3.