TEACHING assistant Michelle Thornley is described as "dedicated, enthusiastic, lively, innovative, caring, hard-working and bubbly" all the characteristics which makes her an invaluable member of the team at St Saviour's CE Primary School, Ringley — and worthy of the The Bolton News Teaching Assistant of the Year Award, sponsored by Unison.

Mrs Thornley has been at the school for seven-and-a-half-years where she qualified as as higher level teaching assistant (HLTA).

She works predominately in the top class of the school but also takes RE throughout the other junior classes.

She runs a booster club for level 3/4 borderline children, which she initially volunteer and is now part of her role. Those children achieved the benchmark level 4, and some even have gone on to achieve the more challenging level five.

The school says her contribution has held the school becoming one of the highest achieving primary schools in the country.

As well as helping the children to achieve academically, she also helps to run the school choir and gives up her time to coach and support the children and annual music festival in the evening.

She has also run an after-school cookery club.

Recently Mrs Thornley has become a school governor to develop her knowledge and understanding about the school.

She is said to have had "made a huge impact on the school and its community" and "is adored by the children and parents alike".

Colleague Jon Moorhouse said: "Most children would be reluctant to attend a before school revision club but Mrs Thornley has not such problem in getting them to attend.

"In my 19-years of teaching, I have not met a more dedicated and talented HLTA than Mrs Thornley."

Mrs Thornley came into teaching to fit her life around her family, but her dedication to the pupils is second to none.

Mrs Thornley, aged 43, who lives in Worsley with her family, said: "I would just like to say that I am one of the luckiest people in the world-I get paid to do a job I adore.

"To receive an award for doing that job is fantastic.

"I’m very grateful and truly honoured.

"I work with awesome children and an exceptional group of highly talented and dedicated professionals — my lovely boss Ian Southern, but especially my class teacher and friend, Jon Moorhouse, who inspires me and has enabled me to develop my role in school.

"Without the support of this great group of people, and that of my fabulous family, I wouldn’t be stood here tonight."

She added: "The children inspire you and when they have solved something you want to do a victory dance, it is the best feeling, it is like having the biggest bar of chocolate without the calories."