ONE of Cheshire’s leading women in education has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s

Lynda Allen, who is Chair of Governors at Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College, in Northwich, has been awarded with the prestigious MBE for voluntary service within education.

Mrs Allen has served as a Governor at Sir John Deane’s College since 1991 and became Chairman of Governors in 1999, a major responsibility as the College is run independently as a Corporation.

After the news was announced, Mrs Allen, who lives in Sandiway, said she was delighted and honoured to have received the MBE and paid tribute to her colleagues at SJD.

“This honour is terrific news for the whole College and is a reflection of the genuine teamwork that underpins everything we do,” said Mrs Allen.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the support I have received from Andrew Jones, our College Principal, whose outstanding abilities and caring approach have made my role as Chairman of the Governors a genuine pleasure.”

Over the last decade SJD has consistently been in the top 10 Sixth Form Colleges in the results tables and has been awarded with outstanding Ofsted reports, which have attracted national acclaim.

The College is currently undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment of its campus that will bring its facilities in line with its outstanding academic reputation.

Andrew Jones, Principal of SJD, led the tributes to Lynda saying her dedication and passion for education had helped make a difference to thousands of students.

Mr Jones said: “We are all thrilled that Lynda has received this award which is justly deserved and recognises the commitment she has to young people in Cheshire. On a personal level she is great to work with and is held in high regard by the whole College community.”

Mrs Allen added: “I have a real interest in education, particularly for young people of this age group, where the opportunities we can give them can take their lives in many different directions.

“Everyone at SJD is so positive and the staff and governors really care about the students – and ensuring that opportunities are open to young people of all backgrounds.

“SJD is a very special place and we are looking forward to the opening of new facilities that go hand in hand with its fine reputation. We must all cherish what a fantastic, nationally-recognised College we have in our community and look forward to safeguarding its history and high standards for future generations.”