Top teachers are honoured by the Queen

Two top teachers have been honoured by the Queen for inspiring youngsters to succeed.
Pauline Hagen, principal at Pontefract NEW College, awarded the OBE.Pauline Hagen, principal at Pontefract NEW College, awarded the OBE.
Pauline Hagen, principal at Pontefract NEW College, awarded the OBE.

Pauline Hagen, principal at Pontefract NEW College, and Julian Appleyard, the school’s former deputy principal, have both received the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The honours were announced as part of the Queen’s birthday celebrations.

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Since Ms Hagen became principal in 2011, NEW College has improved to be rated the best sixth form college in northern England and the third best in the country.

Julian Appleyard, former deputy principal at Pontefract NEW College, now principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, awarded the OBE.Julian Appleyard, former deputy principal at Pontefract NEW College, now principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, awarded the OBE.
Julian Appleyard, former deputy principal at Pontefract NEW College, now principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, awarded the OBE.

Ms Hagen said: “I am very proud and grateful for this recognition of work in the field of education,

“Over the course of a career in the education system I have been reminded daily of just how important it is to focus relentlessly on the needs of every individual learner, because educational success genuinely transforms the quality of their lives and those of the societies and communities they live in.

“I’m also grateful to the team at NEW College for their talent, their drive and their profound commitment to our vision. This recognition will inspire us to climb more mountains.”

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Dad-of-two Mr Appleyard, who is from Pontefract, has been principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College since 2010.

Julian Appleyard, former deputy principal at Pontefract NEW College, now principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, awarded the OBE.Julian Appleyard, former deputy principal at Pontefract NEW College, now principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, awarded the OBE.
Julian Appleyard, former deputy principal at Pontefract NEW College, now principal at Rochdale Sixth Form College, awarded the OBE.

The college has improved from having one of the UK’s lowest A-level records to reach the top the Department for Education’s performance league tables for three years running.

Mr Appleyard said: “I was surprised to hear the news and was shocked to receive a letter from the Cabinet Office about six weeks ago asking whether I would accept the honour.

“I thought it was a wind up. It is truly humbling. My honour is testament to the superb team I have at the college.

“My staff and governing body are incredibly committed and our success is very much a joint effort.”

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