OVER the next week we will be sharing the inspiring stories of our winners from the Warrington Guardian Schools Awards 2018.

Our award for Unsung Hero of the Year, sponsored by One Energy, is always one of the most competitive categories, with a multitude of strong nominations for midday assistants, club leaders, PTA volunteers and support staff. 

But judges were inundated with nominations for this year’s recipient, a gentleman who definitely puts the care into caretaker.
Brian Warren has been employed at Bruche Primary School for 13 years and is adored by pupils, parents and teachers.

Before applying to become a caretaker, Brian had no previous experience of working with young children or in a school environment. 

The 78-year-old said: “My granddaughter was a pupil at Bruche Primary School and she came home one day and said ‘look granddad I’ve got a letter, the school is looking for a caretaker’.

“I had just retired from my job and thought well I could do that and so I applied and the rest is history.

“I absolutely love my job, I don’t have a problem on a Sunday night you know when people dread going to work? 

“I get high fives from the children every day – it is so wonderful.”

Brian is described by the school as so much more than a caretaker, he is a peacekeeper, safety inspector, carpenter, electrician, gatekeeper and key-master – an unsung hero who is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Brian, who said he was ‘made up’ by the win, added: “People keep asking me if I have plans to retire but I say ‘probably when I’m old’.”

Parents at the school said he is an absolute gent and in bad weather even lets the younger children use his feet as stepping stones to avoid muddy puddles. 

Always smiling, he remembers the names of not only all the pupils, but most of their parents too. 

He embodies the spirit of Bruche Primary School and is adored by all.