Birkenhead’s Woodlands Primary School celebrate ‘human search engine’ Mandy Skillen being named as Teaching Assistant of the Year

Oct 22 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

A WIRRAL teaching assistant described by her colleagues as the human “search engine” has won a national teaching award.

Mandy Skillen, 46, from Woodlands Primary School in Birkenhead was crowned Teaching Assistant of the Year at a glitzy ceremony in London this week.

Mrs Skillen, who has worked at the school for 28 years, was chosen from entrants across the country for her dedication and commitment to children with family or behavioural problems.

Her colleagues describe her as a “search engine” – if she doesn’t know something, she will find out.

Her changing roles as cleaner, lunchtime supervisor, classroom assistant and home liaison officer have seen her picking up children from home to make sure they attend and brought her into contact with landlords and courts.

She set up the ‘Nurture Class’ to support emotionally deprived children and is known for her rapport with pupils and parents alike.

She temporarily took one young boy into her own home because his own mother could not cope and arranged a programme in the school holidays with social services for the most vulnerable families.

Mrs Skillen said: “I’m overwhelmed. I’ve always looked for the best in pupils and because I live locally they know they can call in if they need any help.

“My job is so rewarding and I love my contact with parents and bringing them into school life with their children.

“Sometimes it’s hard and emotional and I’ve sat and cried sometimes but it’s a fantastic school and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

As a mother-of-five, all of whom attended Woodlands, Mrs Skillen is also an active member of the Parent Teacher Association and a school governor.

Headteacher Gill Lingfield, said: “Mandy has given heart and soul to the children and has been instrumental in helping to foster our inclusive, tolerant and caring ethos.”