A Newquay woman has been honoured for services to education by the King's Birthday Honours 2024.
Pamela Waters, age 47, has been appointed an MBE for supporting early reading in primary schools across the South West and on a national level.
The experienced teacher and leader has worked in primary schools for almost 25 years and has been the Strategic Lead of the Kernow English Hub since 2018.
Under her leadership the Kernow Hub has provided intensive support to 53 primary schools and medium level support to at least 193 primary schools across Cornwall, Devon, and the Scilly Isles.
Pamela said: “I was surprised and shocked, but also very proud of this recognition. I plan to accept the award on behalf of the whole Kernow English Hub team and all the school leaders and children that I have worked within my role.
"Hopefully we have supported schools to be more effective in teaching early years how to read, and read early. I am really passionate about that and getting that right in the earliest stages of primary education.
“You can see that click of recognition and see the child quickly make progress. That is really special.
"Children can make such quick progress with effective teaching and it really can make a difference for the rest of their lives."
A spokesperson for Kernow Learning said: “We are so proud of Pamela. Congratulations for being recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list with an MBE for supporting early reading in primary schools across the South West and on a national scale.
“Kernow Learning would like to thank Pamela for everything she does. She very much deserves her MBE.”
A spokesperson for Trenance Learning Academy added: “We are incredibly proud of Pamela.
“Many of us at Trenance have had the pleasure of working alongside Pamela over the years and the passion, determination and knowledge that she has offered both children and staff is unrivalled.
“We would like to thank Pamela for being a wonderful colleague and friend and for being an inspiration to so many of us. We are very proud of her.”