A DEDICATED Altrincham headteacher said he is ‘very proud’ after being recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

John Cornally, executive headteacher at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College, has been awarded an MBE for his services to education.

Mr Cornally has been a headteacher for 20 years and 12 of those years he has spent with Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College.

In that time the school has been graded outstanding in every category by Ofsted on two consecutive inspections and become popular choice for Catholic families in Trafford.

Mr Cornally said: “This award has come as a complete surprise to me. My 12 years as headteacher at Blessed Thomas Holford have been incredibly happy and deeply fulfilling. I have been fortunate to lead such an outstanding school with wonderful staff, children and governors. I am particularly grateful to our parents for their support over our time together. This award is for everybody in our school family.”

Mr Cornally has been a National Leader in Education since 2008, which has seen him working with other schools across Greater Manchester.

Recently this has included working with All Saints Catholic College in Tameside.

He said he believes this wider contribution to education was one of the reasons for his nomination.

“I am very proud to receive this award on behalf of our school and wider community,” he added.