Leighton Buzzard teacher with community spirit awarded MBE

Deborah Pargeter, 54, who works in nearby Houghton Regis at Tithe Farm Primary, has received the honour in recognition of the improvements she achieved at the school.

However, determined Deborah has not only been praised for the changes made in the classroom, as she has also been commended for reaching out to those in need during lockdown.

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman, said: “Deborah has been the headteacher of Tithe Farm Primary School since January 2017, overseeing improvements which have raised the standard of the school.

“She supports not only pupils but their families too, setting up regular curriculum-themed coffee mornings for parents and pupils, alongside the deployment of a school family support worker.

“Since March 18, when the government announced the closure of schools to all but vulnerable children and the children of key workers, Deborah and her team have supported the most vulnerable families in the school’s local community in a way that is above and beyond any expectations.

●”Her school community fed over 150 people per day during lockdown, many of whom do not have immediate ties with the school including the elderly, the

isolated, and families from many other schools.

“The school’s after-school club telephone was recommissioned as a foodbank hotline for people to call in daily.

“Referrals were also taken from local support groups, social care agencies and churches.”

Deborah lives in Leighton Buzzard and is well known in the community as she was formally the headteacher of Mary Bassett Lower School.