A SCHOOL in Tockington welcomed back a former headmaster last week to celebrate his recently awarded MBE.

Richard Tovey, son of Tockington Manor School founder Gordon, and headmaster for 38 years, was joined by his wife Jane in visiting the school, and was warmly greeted by the governors, pupils, staff and current headmaster Steven Symonds, all ready to celebrate his honour.

The MBE comes in recognition of his services to education, as well as serving as headmaster of the school since 1975, Mr Tovey also served as a former chairman of the Independent Association of Prep Schools as well as a governor of the English School in Kuwait and Packwood Haugh School.

Mr Symonds said: ”Richard’s MBE is a huge honour and very much deserved.

"All at Tockington Manor are extremely proud of the hard work both Richard and Jane Tovey put into the school and into education as a whole during their long and very successful career.”

Mr Tovey summed up the afternoon by saying: “What a truly wonderful welcome. We were made to feel like royalty! It was wonderful to see everyone again, to feel the atmosphere and see the place looking as lovely as ever. It was a truly unforgettable afternoon.”