A County Durham woman has been awarded an OBE for her contributions to education.

Tracy Swinburne, 43, from Aycliffe Village, who has worked in the field for more than 20 years, has said she was proud after receiving the award in the King’s Birthday Honours on Friday (June 14).

She said her aim since becoming a teacher has been to ensure that every child “has the best education” and that primary school pupils have a “magical childhood.”

(Image: Tracy Swinburne)

Mrs Swinburne, who began her teaching career in Hartlepool, said: “My absolute passion is ensuring that every child gets through the reading gateway.

“I believe that reading is the absolute gateway to a fantastic future, life, and being able to do whatever they want to do.

“I really dedicate this award to all of the amazing teams that I’ve worked with in the North East, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Middle East. And most importantly, the amazing children.

“I feel very humbled to receive this award and over the moon for the communities we serve because they’re absolutely delighted by this. I’m very, very proud to serve right across the North.

“When I received the letter, I opened it and I thought ‘oh my goodness, this must be a hoax, it can’t be me, it doesn’t happen to people like me.

“I just cried all day.”

She is currently the CEO of Accomplish MAT and executive headteacher of Jerry Clay Academy in Wakefield – and is also a member of the Department for Education English Hub Council.

Her work involves helping struggling schools get back on track.

She added she has developed an approach to make sure schools are supported in their teaching of phonics, early language, and reading.

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She says 17 schools are currently being supported in the region, and her team has helped turn these schools around and achieve better Ofsted ratings and outcomes for children.

Mrs Swinburne has said the English Hubs programme has been “a real success” and added they are proud of it.

The award winner said she hopes her award can inspire others from North Yorkshire and the North East – having studied at Mill Hill primary school in Northallerton, then Allertonshire School, and then Northallerton College, before completing her undergraduate and teacher training at Ripon and York St John University.