A SCIENCE-MAD teaching assistant has won an Silver Award for inspiring pupils at Great Bentley Primary.

Headteacher Tracey Caffull said science and technology “ooze" out of Lorraine Pemberton's  pores and excite the children around her.

Youngsters fondly call Lorraine – a trained engineer – the “lady with the tanks” because of her military vehicle collection.

Mrs Caffull said the leaning assistant’s passion for education was “infectious”.

“For the past three years she has been leading science, technology, engineering and maths clubs in school, for children as young as five and as old as 11,” she said.

“These groups are amazing – they open the eyes of the children into another world.

“They have built bridges, made bath bombs and the latest adventure was a bionic hand. The children can’t wait to attend the club and they count the days until it comes round again – they just love it.

“She personifies science.

She lives and breathes it shares it with the children, and they become as excited about the world of science as she is.

“Not only does she put in 100 per cent every minute she is here, she also works over and above that.

“She puts on our carnival procession and is working with secondary schools to promote science on behalf of Great Bentley.”

Mrs Caffull added: “I have worked with Lorraine for ten of the 14 years she has been here.

“She just brings a new dynamic – she is amazing.

“There is so much everyone can learn from her. I’m just privileged to work with her.”