A WINCHESTER support worker has won a national award for the guidance she gives children from armed forces families.

Celia Bailey, a service families support worker at Harestock Primary School, has been awarded the Excellence for Forces Children Award by the Army Families Federation.

The school has around 50 pupils from forces families, and headteacher Jackie Sankey says Mrs Bailey’s work is essential.

“Some of these service children attend three, four or even more schools,” she said.

“Celia makes sure they are welcomed and settle into classroom routines quickly, which is very important to ensure the children can make as much progress as possible and enjoy their time with us.”

For the past four years the school has received a Ministry of Defence grant to fund her work.

The mother-of-three, whose husband is in the army, was nominated for the award by parents.

She said: “I was extremely proud to receive this award. I am privileged to work with the service children who arrive at Harestock from all over the country, and help them with the issues that can arise with moving schools mid-term.

“I look forward to continuing and growing the role here to ensure that the 'Harestock Experience' for our service children will be one that they take forward with them and remember fondly.”