Wellingborough headteacher hailed a lockdown hero with Rose of Northamptonshire Award

A headteacher who not only had to grapple with running a busy Wellingborough primary school but also devastating floods that wrecked half of the buildings has been recognised for her outstanding work.

Emma Johnson, Head of All Saints CE Primary School and Nursery Unit in Wellingborough was handed a Rose of Northamptonshire Award at an online ceremony.

Nominated by the school's governors and a group of parents, Paul Parsons the High Sherriff of Northamptonshire praised Mrs Johnson for her dedication and tireless work.

Mrs Johnson said: "I was completely surprised but very humbled to be recognised in this way, but I have shared this with the school community as it is always a team effort and I would not have happened without the support and work of the team at All Saints, the amazing parents and children and my own family for whom I am grateful."

After the initial lockdown lifted and some pupils returned to the classroom, Mrs Johnson's well-earned summer break was shattered in mid-August when torrential rain caused flood water to cascade through Wellingborough's streets and streaming into the low-lying playground and ground floor of the Castle Street school.

As well as dealing with Covid compliance, Mrs Johnson had to find space for her new nursery and Reception children and find classrooms for the Year 1s and all of the 230 pupils.

With only three days off between March 23 and the start of the school year, only one class of children missed one week of school whilst mobile classrooms were installed.

The Northants Telegraph reported in November how pupils, staff and parents were adapting to life without their ground floor classrooms and school hall.In a Zoom ceremony Mr Paul Parsons the High Sherriff of Northamptonshire stated that the award had been given to Mrs Johnson in recognition of her dedication and for working tirelessly throughout the pandemic whilst dealing with the flood.

She was praised for her communication with parents and her determination that she showed throughout, to continue to provide the very best for the children at All Saints putting others before herself.

A schedule of work is nearly ready to be sent out for tender for the approximately £750,000 worth in flood repairs and it is hoped that by Easter work will have started and be completed by the end of the academic year.

Mrs Johnson added: "I still try to keep a positive attitude despite the huge challenges that we face daily in ensuring that I not only do we at All Saints continue to provide the best possible education for the children but I keep everyone safe and that pressure can be great but as I always say you have to keep smiling and be thankful for everyday."