A headteacher who penned a letter that went viral, sympathising with parents during lockdown has been awarded a Pride of Barnoldswick award.

Sarah White, headteacher of Coates Lane Primary School, won an award for Outstanding Service to the Community for her work at the school throughout the pandemic.

Mrs White accepted the award on Wednesday evening in Barnoldswick town square and said she was ‘shocked’ and ‘honoured’ to receive it.

She said: “It honestly gives me so much joy to lead a school like Coates Lane in such a warm-hearted and friendly community.

“It is a pleasure every day to come to school, see the children, work with the best staff and get to see all of our wonderful parents/carers.

“Coates Lane and Barnoldswick really are special and I'm thankful every day for being able to work in such a wonderful place.”

READ MORE: Headteacher speaks of appreciation after viral response of a letter she wrote to parents

In January 2021, during the third national lockdown, Mrs White wrote a letter as a mother first, sympathising with them about the struggles of homeschooling.

The letter went viral with many commenting how ‘beautiful’ the letter was and how much it meant to hear those words from someone in her position.