HE may not like a fuss ­— but there was no way a village school was going to pass up the opportunity to celebrate the very real difference Steven Kidd has made to its success.

Mr Kidd, the Chairman of Governors at St Saviour’s CE Primary School, Ringley, won The Lifetime Achievement Award in our sister paper’s, The Bolton News, annual education awards.

Many will know Mr Kidd from the family run Giant Seat Garden Centre but in his own time he works to ensure every pupil has the opportunity to “be the best they can be”.

He has been one of the main driving forces behind the success of the school, helping it to become the outstanding primary it is now.

Mr Kidd found out he had won the award when he was suddenly called in for a meeting with headteacher Ian Southern and was surprised by the school staff who announced he had won.

His family watched as he accepted the award at the ceremony held at The Last Drop Village.

Mr Kidd modestly said he was asked to come on board two decades ago because the school wanted fresh people on the governing body and modern ideas to move the school forward.

“We don’t do it for a reward and we do not do it to be recognised, I was quite taken aback with this award,” said Mr Kidd, “ It is about doing something for the children.”

He added: “Our mission statement is excellence for everyone whilst caring for all. That means doing the best for everyone, that’s what it's about. It’s not about recognition for me, I am a behind the scenes man.”

Being minutes away from the school also helps maintain a productive relationship with the headteacher Mr Kidd, who has been chairman of governors for 20 years, said: “We are both fortunate in that we have excellent teams supporting us both.”

He described the governors and staff as “dedicated, professional and caring.”

Headteacher Ian Southern said: “During this time he has worked tirelessly to move and lead the school forward. He has been a visible character around school working with all staff and children. He was hugely influential in taking the school from ‘intensive support’ to an outstanding primary school.”

Mr Kidd takes part in a number of activities from enhancing the school grounds to ensuring children with special educational needs get the support they need to success ­— with the head describing him as determined in his “pursuit of support for them”.