Northamptonshire secondary school teacher awarded MBE in Queen's New Year's Honours

An "inspirational" teacher from Guilsborough Academy has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list after helping to feed 400 people at a foodbank.

Liz Mills, who teaches English, received the honour for services to the community in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, during the COVID-19 response.

The award focuses on Miss Mills’ amazing work with the Jubilee Foodbank, where she has been the chairperson since 2019, and has taken on duties to provide support to over 400 households across the region.

Simon Frazer, principal at Guillsborough Academy, said: “Liz is a real inspiration to our students.

“The effort that she goes to in supporting her community is mirrored by her commitment and dedication to young people in our academy.

"During the first lockdown she provided fantastic support to our A-level English students.

“Above all else she encourages people to be thoughtful and considerate about the world around them.

"It is a fantastic quality to have in a teacher because she inspires students not just to get their best grades academically but also to become young people who want to make a positive difference to their communities."

Northamptonshire is well-represented in the names of those to be honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in this year's New Year Honours list.

Thirteen people either from or have helped people in the county have been given awards including an OBE, five MBEs and seven BEMs.

Three of the titles are for the recipients' efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, including a mental health nurse, a British Red Cross worker and a volunteer who helped the vulnerable.