Two teachers have been given Exceptional Service Awards, after being nominated by a grateful parent whose son they take care of ‘as if he was their own.’

Laura Bell and Abby McLean, teachers at Bransty Primary School, were surprised to receive a letter from the Encephalitis Society, informing them both that they had been nominated for the accolade.

Vicki Shearsby put forward the caring teacher to get them the recognition they deserve for the care and support they offer her son, Jack, who suffered from Autoimmune Encephalitis when he was six years-old, and now has learning difficulties due to this.

Mrs Bell is Jack’s one-to-one at the school, as part of the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) initiative, ensuring he is looked after and cared for at all times.

Mrs McLean also goes the extra mile for 11-year-old Jack, staying after school so that he can attend the football club he loves, and even learning the differences between Jack’s types of seizures, enabling her to administer the correct emergency medication he needs at that time.

In the letter explaining her nomination, Vicki said: “Without the huge input into Jack’s provisions and day-to-day life, he would have failed at school. He suffers from frequent seizures, and these have been dealt with phenomenally by Jack, Laura and Abby.”

She continued, speaking of the endless amount of support and effort offered by 11-year-old Jack’s teachers: “Neither of these two amazing women have let Jack fall behind. They both work tirelessly, and I really feel they deserve some recognition for their work.”

Vicki concluded her letter, saying: “They take care of him as if he was their own - what more could a mum ask for?”

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, and can cause memory loss, seizures, learning difficulties and more, and charities such as the Encephalitis Society aim to raise awareness for the condition, as well as offer immediate support to sufferers and families of those affected.

The caring teachers received their Exceptional Service Awards on April 29 in London, at the society’s event, Encephalitis: My Brain and Medicine, much to the delight of Jack and his mum Vicki, Bransty Primary School, and the two outstanding women who support their students so well.