Headteacher, John Bryant, was named Happiest School Employee in the National Happiness Awards. Emma Lee-Potter finds out how his school has put happiness at the heart of its work

The reception wall at Arthur Bugler Primary School is covered in a sea of colourful notes, some written by children, others by parents and carers.

The initiative is part of Staff Appreciation Week, which was held at the two-form entry primary school in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, for the first time in February.

John Bryant, who has been headteacher at Arthur Bugler Primary for five years, asked parents and carers to nominate staff who had made a huge difference to the children and write notes of thanks to them.

He received more than 150 responses. Some children thanked the school cleaners for keeping the school “clean and tidy” while parents and carers praised the office staff, teachers, caretaker and Mr Bryant himself.

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