King's Oak top teaching assistant Annette Dixon will attend a Barnsley presentation today (Thursday) to be awarded Best Support Staff in the borough.

It is no surprise to the children and staff with whom Annette has worked for the four years the school has been open.

"She's behind everything and she's at everything," said a school spokeswoman. "If there's any sporting event going Annette will be smack in the middle of it, from football, tag rugby and hockey to the 'strictly come dancing' club we started recently."

Annette coached the school team who got through to the South Yorkshire finals of the Schools' Athletics Championships, to take place in Sheffield on April 1. It was school PE staff who nominated her for an award.

Pupils have written their own tribute to Mrs Dixon, to be read at the awards ceremony, and brand her "very competitive, a little loony, but we love her and would have her no other way!"

Seen most often in her sports gear, Annette is also willing to don a posh frock, and will do so for a second dance festival at Easter.

The mum of three has two children of her own at King's Own Primary Learning Centre, and another at High School.