An Ashton Hayes woman who has dedicated 40 years of her life to being a school governor has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Mum-of-two Aileen Parry has been chair of governors at Oaklands School in Winsford for 34 years and has received the honour for her service to special educational needs and disabilities.
She was forced to keep the news to herself until the list was officially released, describing it as the ‘hardest secret I have ever had to keep’.
“I just had a huge smile on my face and nobody knew why,” she said.
‘Thrilled’ to have been recognised, Aileen added: “It means an awful lot to me. I have been lucky in life and I am a great believer in giving back and this is my way of doing that.”
Headteacher of Oaklands School Kevin Boyle praised Aileen’s ‘tireless’ work over the years.
He said: “Aileen takes the role very seriously and she is really determined in making sure that our children get the best education.
“She is a great supporter of the school but she is also a wonderful critical friend of the school as well.
“As a whole community, we are really delighted that she has been honoured.”
