Individuals from the region recognised for their services to education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

Congratulations to a number of people from the region who have been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for their services to education.

Janet Arnold (81) from Liverpool has received a British Empire Medal (BEM). Janet has dedicated 55 years of her life to enriching the lives of young people with a variety of abilities and disabilities through sport.

Janet started teaching Physical Education in Liverpool in 1963, and still teaches at the age of 81. She excelled in her role, introducing extra-curricular activities in hockey, gymnastics, tennis, and athletics. These extended throughout her career to encompass many Liverpool schools.

She was a driving force behind many sporting initiatives, such as the Merseyside Youth Games. After retirement at the age of 60, she volunteered to help teach PE in Millstead Special School, Southbank Infant School and Booker Avenue Junior School.

She even set up Liverpool City Hockey Club in 2015.

Over in Manchester, Eric Crompton Barber (82) has also been honoured with a BEM for his services to education. For 26 years, he has made a profound impact on thousands of children in Rochdale, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Eric sacrificed family time to serve as chair/ vice chair of governors of the Ofsted rated ‘Good’ Elm Wood School in Middleton. He has given countless hours of unwaveringly but informed support to help lead the school located in one of the most deprived and challenging areas in Greater Manchester, where 12% of the pupils are registered as having SEND, and the proportion of disadvantaged pupils is above average (17.5%).

As chair and link governor for SEND, he wisely used his business management skills to deploy financial resources amongst all pupils, but especially those with SEND. The headteacher praised him as a significant figure in leading the development of the historic and challenging school building to fully meet the needs of the children.

Whilst involved with the school, he also helped teachers set up a registered children’s charity, Leisure for Autism, which provides play schemes for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition.

For the full list of individuals named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, click here.