UNSUNG heroes of the classroom stepped into the limelight as they found themselves honoured in the Birmingham Mail School Awards.

A succession of local schools were recognised for going that extra mile, whether in the area of anti-bullying, protecting the environment, or spreading the news through a school website or newspaper.

At the same time, individual achievement was also applauded and rewarded, ranging from school heads to teaching assistants and a lunchtime supervisor.

Shortlisted finalists across the ten categories, who collectively received thousands of pounds in prize money from an array of generous sponsors, were all invited to yesterday’s prestige ceremony held at Millennium Point in Digbeth, hosted by Smooth radio’s Tammy Gooding.

And even if they failed to collect one of the main awards, everyone present was a winner in the eyes of the judges, who had a difficult time choosing the most deserving applicants.

The Schools Awards, which were held for the first time last year, attracted widespread sponsorship, including Barclays Bank who put up £1,000 for a Money Skills Award.

Established for the first time to help children understand the importance of budgeting and managing finances, it was won by Greenholm Primary in Great Barr, who challenged its classes to turn an initial £5 into as much profit as they could.

Other project awards were worth £300 to the winner and £150 to the runner-up, while individual award winners collected £200 for the school, or £100 for the runner-up.

Greenholm deputy head Abid Halim said: “The Year One group raised more than £200 from their £5 by bringing in toys and making things like calendars to sell. We aim to ensure that our children have a good understanding of their future economic well-being.”

Greenholm was a double winner on the day, having earlier collected the Healthy Living Award ahead of Kings Norton Primary.

It got the nod for a variety of activities, ranging from a fruit smoothie challenge and healthy month project to the hiring of a Health Bus to promote the importance of sleep.

But Kings Norton Primary still managed to enjoy double success itself, including the School of the Year Award, which was open to all category winners on the day.

Kings Norton qualified by winning the Anti-Bullying Campaign Award, presented by feature writer Diane Parkes of the Birmingham Mail, which has been working with ChildLine to help prevent bullying for five years.

Deputy head Jill Evans said: “We wanted to develop children’s respect for each other so we introduced peer massage, which is positive touch and calms things down.

“We also wanted to develop skills in the children and worked on peer mediation where the pupils are responsible for helping and supporting other children.

“The School of the Year is just a fantastic bonus. We are justifiably proud of our school and work together for the good of all.”

One category proved impossible to separate, so the School Newspaper/Website Award, presented by Mail executive editor Stacey Barnfield, went to both CTC Kingshurst Academy near Solihull and Clifton Primary in Balsall Heath.

Clifton head Christine Mitchell said: “I am absolutely delighted. We are very proud of our website which reflects everything that goes on in school.”

And CTC graphic designer Ian Sullivan, who produces a website and magazine, said: “It is good for the students who produce all the articles and photography.”

The Go Green Award went to Hillcrest School in Bartley Green, which has its own greenhouse and has grown its first crop of fruit and vegetables.

Head of geography, Elaine Punchard, said they would be using the £300 prize to produce a ‘green’ calendar with photos of the children at work and healthy recipes.

The first of the individual winners went to PE teacher Martin Ryan from Hollywood Primary in the Inspirational Primary Teacher category, making up for colleague Steve Payne missing out last year.

Martin, credited with seeing two brothers progress to national standard level at judo, and a boy join Aston Villa’s junior academy, said: “I am very chuffed, but seeing the progression of the children is the most rewarding thing.”

The Inspirational Secondary Teacher was judged to be Lee Tallent of Turves Green Boys in Northfield, who creates historical re-enactments in school and takes pupils annually to Berlin. He said of the event: “It was a wonderful event and I would like to thank the kids who nominated me.”

Winner of the School Support Staff Award was retired council cashier Brenda Page, who has been working as a lunchtime supervisor at Heathlands Primary, Castle Bromwich, for 25 years. She said: “I am absolutely shocked and over the moon to have won.”

Finally, it was Jayne Lates of Hall Green Infants to step forward as winner of the Headteacher of the Year Award. “I am thrilled to win because it was a cross-section of the community who nominated me. But I do a lot of building relationships with the parents to make the school part of the community.”