THE former principal of Stourport High School who spent 15 years at the helm has been honoured by The Queen.

Liz Quinn retired in summer 2015 due to ill health after spending 21 years at the school. She was awarded an MBE for her services to education.

She arrived at Stourport High as an assistant headteacher in 1994, and was appointed as headteacher in 2000.

In 2009, OFSTED awarded the school an “outstanding” status, followed by Miss Quinn being named as Regional Head Teacher in a Senior School.

The school gained academy status in 2011, which saw Miss Quinn become principal, followed by a second “outstanding” OFSTED report in 2012.

But she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 but returned to work following her treatment. She retired the following year to continue with her recovery.

At the time of her retirement, chair of governors Reg Knott, said: “It was a hard decision for her, as she told me that she felt she had ‘so much more to do’.

“I believe the town owes Liz a huge amount of gratitude for all she has done for the young people of Stourport. For me, it has been a great privilege to work alongside her as chair of governors since 1999.

“Her nomination by a young student for the head teacher of the year award included the words ‘every school needs a Miss Quinn’. What a perfect description.”