The headteacher of a Church school in Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded an OBE for her services to education.
Gill James, head at St Marys Church of England (Aided) Primary School in Tunstall since 2006, was shocked to be on the Queens Birthday Honours List.
The mother-of-five has served in a variety of roles including in a special educational needs unit in Winsford, Cheshire, and 17 years at Abbey Hill Special School in Stoke-on-Trent.
She said: It is an amazing honour and It was a tremendous shock when the letter came through. There is no doubt I love St Marys and what I do but this award is not just for me but for all with whom I work and all the headteachers who like me strive to make a difference to young people."
The Diocese of Lichfield, which covers a population of around two million across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, northern Shropshire and the Black Country, has over 200 Church schools and academies in its remit.
Diocesan Director of Education Colin Hopkins said: This is a recognition of all Gills work as a National Leader of Education working in some very deprived communities in the Stoke area.
We are delighted that Gill and by association St Marys CE(A) Primary School in Tunstall has been given this tremendous accolade.
Photo credit: Stoke Sentinel