THE principal of a Kidderminster school rubbed shoulders with royalty when he was presented with an OBE by the Queen.

Dave Seddon, of Baxter College, went to a ceremony at Buckingham Palace after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list earlier this year.

Mr Seddon, who was brought in to revitalise the Habberley Road school 10 years ago, was recognised for services to education.

He has been key to the school’s transformation, from “crisis school” in 2003 to recognition by Ofsted for outstanding leadership in 2012, with year-on-year exam results improvements.

Mr Seddon said: “To receive such an illustrious award from Her Majesty was a great honour and I felt very humbled to have been nominated for doing a job I have always felt privileged to do.”

Caryl Gibson, vice principal, said the accolade was well deserved, adding: “Anyone who has ever worked with Dave Seddon will know of his passion for the job and the students in his care”.

The OBE recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds.