Not so long ago, school business managers were virtually unheard of – now they’re an integral part of many establishments.

For Sandy Tomlinson, working to improve the training and support of school business managers across Newham has seen her win a national award.

She was presented with the National Association of School Business Management’s award for leading support services in recognition of her work at Vicarage Primary School, as well as in the borough as a whole.

A spokeswoman for the school, in Vicarage Lane, East Ham, said: “We would like to congratulate Sandy on this achievement and look forward to working with her in the drive for professional recognition of school business managers in Newham.”

Sandy’s efforts to raise the profile of school business managers saw her set up a borough-wide network.

She has also organised a successful conference and has plans for a second one later this year.