New Year’s Honours: Education champion among those recognised in Norwich

Professor Shirley Pearce. (Image: EDP � 2001)

Mrs de Souza, who received the honour for services to education, was in charge at the Costessey school for three years and led to it to an outstanding Ofsted judgment.

Peter Clifford Grover, a Cub Scout Leader of 8th Norwich Sea Scout Group, who has been made an MBE for services to children and young people (Image: Archant)

She is now chief executive of the Inspiration Trust, a federation of seven schools across Norfolk.

Richard Jackson. (Image: Eastern Daily Press � 2004)

She said: 'It was a bit of shock when I found out, but it was a delight as well. It was like 10 Christmases coming at once.

'From my point of view, the focus on education in Norfolk has been on the problems, but this is about turning the corner.

'It has made me feel even more motivated to make sure the kids in schools get the best education. It has spurred me on.

'I am a passionate member of Team Norfolk, absolutely committed to raising our education standards.'

Professor Shirley Pearce, CBE, has been made a Dame of the British Empire for services to higher education.

Mrs Pearce, from Surlingham, was Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the UEA from 2001 to 2004.

She led the bid for the medical school at the UEA and then oversaw its implementation. In June 2005 she was made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, for services to the NHS.

She said: 'It's a tremendous honour and overwhelming. I have worked with some fantastic teams and it's very much a team achievement. It's unfortunate that it cannot be shared with other people.'

Peter Grover, a cub scout leader for the 8th Norwich Sea Scout Group, has been made an MBE for services to children and young people. Seventy-three-year-old Mr Grover, who lives in Taverham Road, Taverham, has been involved in the scout movement for about 60 years.

He said: 'I got involved in the scouts in the early 1950s. I joined the 8th Norwich as a Sea Scout and went through the various stages and became a leader in the 1960s.'

About being made an MBE, he said he was very grateful and that it had come as a complete surprise.

Richard Jackson, founder of Drayton-based Mancroft International, has been made an MBE for services to development and corporate training services.

Mr Jackson formed Mancroft Training in 1984 with Barry Stiff, after the pair spent a number of years researching what made some people perform at a higher level than others. This research led to the development of the programme The Winning Edge, which aims to inspire people to achieve greater things. Mancroft Training became Mancroft International in 2007, and Mr Jackson has presented The Winning Edge programme to blue-chip international companies and SMEs throughout the UK, mainland Europe, Russia and the United States.

Clive Leslie Gritten, JP, a Scout and Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme volunteer for Norfolk has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to children, young people and the community in Norfolk.

And Michael Blakey has been made an MBE for voluntary services to young people and to the community in Norfolk.