Leeds parents full of praise for caring Sandra

19 July 2016....... Early years unit manager Sandra Perring at Ashfield Primary in Otley, nominee in YEP star of the classroom competition. Picture Tony Johnson

And she goes well above and beyond the call of duty - she has even offered to attend doctor’s appointments to help parents at Ashfield Primary School.

Her dedication and help has now seen her nominated in our stars of the classroom competition where we asked readers to tell us about teachers and teaching staff who had made a real difference.

Lauren Craven, from Otley, said: “My first experience of her was with my younger brother. He had difficulties with speech and hearing and she helped my mum get the right help.

“Now she is helping me with my own daughter, my daughter is undergoing testing for skeletal dysplasia but my bigger problem is her behavioural and learning difficulties.

“My daughter moved to this nursery in January and she went out of her way to get to know her.

“She has always listened to my concerns and called my daughter’s paediatrician to air concerns. I am not the only one who has had great experiences with this lady, she really cares about the kids and trying to get them the help they need.”

The Early Years leader was surprised and happy to be nominated and said that she loved her job.

She added: “If children were going for an appointment for a diagnosis for something like autism then I would go to the appointment or even drive the parents there.”

Also nominated is Vicky Dean from Whingate Primary in Armley for the help she has given to Joshua Riley, aged nine.

His mum Rowena said: “This year he has come on leaps and bounds, his teacher has gone further than any other teacher to help him. Joshua has coeliac disease, dairy and soya intolerance on top of his other medical needs, so it’s very hard to find suitable foods for him.

“Miss Dean went out of her way and researched what was suitable for Josh, in treat forms and presented Joshua with his very own chocolate bar. Joshua was so over the moon to finally feel like he is being included.”

Headteacher Stuart Myers said it was really good that a family had recognized how a teacher goes the extra mile.