Northamptonshire OBE recipient: 'I think the honour is for everyone really, not just me'

A Northamptonshire headteacher with a passion for teaching children with special educational needs dedicated her OBE to her staff and everyone who she was worked with over the years.

Janet Thompson was given an Order of the British Empire in the coronavirus-delayed Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to education on Friday (October 9).

The head at Dorothy Goodman School (DGS) in Hinckley, Leicestershire, who lives in Badby, near Daventry, was surprised and honoured to receive the recognition.

"I am absolutely delighted, it is a great privilege to be recognised for something that I am very passionate about which is special education and ensuring the best outcomes for our young people in the special education world," she told this newspaper.

"I have worked for many years in special education and the people I have worked with have always been amazing and go over and above to enable the best outcomes.

"So I think the honour is for everyone really, not just me."

Janet has spent her life dedicated to special education, having discovered her passion during a visit to a special school as a sixth former.

Among her previous roles include being special educational needs lead and one of Her Majesty's inspector at Ofsted as well as head teacher at Kingsley Special Academy in Kettering.

On her career, Janet said: "It was a way of putting children with learning disabilities on the map and making sure they are a proper, included part of society and working hard to try new things and striving to make things better so the children can achieve more and be included in their local communities and education communities."

Janet paid tribute to her staff for their hard work during the pandemic to provide the best provision and make it as close to normal as possible.

"It has been very difficult, the schools have been open throughout, during the main lockdown and the holidays as all the young people are deemed as vulnerable and for key worker children, we were providing education for them," she said.

"So all of them came to school if their parents wanted them to - that was great in one way but it adds to the worry about keeping everyone safe as some of our young people don't understand social distancing so we had to help them to stay safe and the staff."

Janet has received many congratulations from colleagues and parents after the announcement was made on Friday.

A staff member wrote: "I just wanted to say a huge congratulations for being on the Queen’s birthday honours list.

"You truly are an amazing lady and I’m honoured to work for you. Never thought the Queen would recognise our school in all the 18 years I’ve worked here!"

While a parent commented: "Please accept hearty congratulation from ourselves on the award of OBE from the Queen.

"What an honour and so well deserved. Our child is very lucky to be going to DGS with such fantastic staff at all levels. Congratulations once again."

Chris White, the chairman of the board of trustees at DGS added: "I'd like to congratulate Janet, who has contributed so much towards the education of young people during her illustrious career.

"I would also like to take a moment to thank everyone in the education sector for their unstinting dedication in these unprecedented times."