A REDDITCH women has been recognised by the Queen in the Birthday Honours list.

Gillian Cartwright, who grew up in Redditch but now lives in Stourbridge, is headteacher at Old Park School and has been awarded an OBE for her services to education.

Mrs Cartwright, who has worked at the school for 16 years and became headteacher in 2003, said she was delighted with the accolade.

The school, which caters for pupils aged four to 19 with special educational needs, had been placed in special measures but has now been rated as outstanding by Ofsted for the second time, which Mrs Cartwright puts down to her amazing team.

She was also instrumental in the school moving from its old site in Dudley, to a new, purpose built school, as part of the Thorns Community Learning Village in 2011, something she said she was incredibly proud of.

"Myself and my senior staff worked closely with the local authority to get the school we wanted for the children," she said.

"I have an amazing team and I like to think this award is in recognition of them as well myself. It's nice to think that our hard work is being recognised."