Teacher "delighted" at MBE

A teacher in Uttoxeter is "delighted" to have been awarded an MBE for his dedication to education, he told his local paper this week.

Ex-deputy head John Thompson has been given the honour for his services to education, reports the Uttoxeter Advertiser, and says he is on "cloud nine" after receiving the news.

He told the paper: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my teaching career and have been fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful children of all abilities and also many talented, hard-working colleagues."

Mr Thompson, aged 59, worked at Derby Moor Community Sports College, Littleover from 1983 until 2004 when he retired.

Since giving up work full time he has continued to teach part time at Derby's pupil referral unit helping teenage pupils who have difficulties in education find employment upon leaving school.

In related news, the government has announced that permanent school exclusions are down by seven per cent.

The decrease has been attributed to schools implementing "short but effective" punishments to help improve pupils' behaviour.