Dedicated community leaders from across Havering and Redbridge have been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Teachers and police were among those praised in the list, published on Friday (June 13).

Yvonne Powell, former headteacher of Little Ilford School, was appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to education.

Sylvia Vaughan Jones, headteacher at Valentines High School on Cranbrook Road, Ilford, was appointed a CBE for services to education.

John Giles, special constable with the Metropolitan Police Service, received a medal of the Order of the British Empire for voluntary services to the community and young people in Havering.

Susan Snowdon, executive headteacher at Beal High School in Woodford Bridge Road, Ilford, was appointed a CBE for services to education.

And Valerie Malvia May Todd, from Woodford Green, was appointed a CBE for services to skills training and development of young people.

Mrs Todd is commissioner of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and director of talent and resources for Crossrail.

Speaking to the Recorder today, Miss Powell, who worked at Little Ilford school for nine years before moving to Walworth Academy last year, said: “It’s lovely to get recognised, especially when you know the impact on the community.

“I was shocked and I was humbled.

“If you get it right in the school and you get it right in the community, you are making a real difference. It’s great.”

The 51-year-old, who lives in Wanstead, praised the staff and students at the school.

“That’s the job I was doing. I chose to do it and it’s amazing to get recognised for it,” she said.

“I hope Little Ilford and Manor Park go from strength to strength.”

In this year’s birthday honours, 1,149 people received awards, including community stalwarts as well as well-known names such as actor Daniel Day-Lewis and classical pianist András Schiff, who both received knighthoods.

Charlotte Edwards, captain of the England women’s cricket team, was appointed a CBE, and there were OBEs for actor Damian Lewis, Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland, and tabla player Talvinder Singh Matharoo.

There were MBEs for Nicola Clarke, chair of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation, singer Cerys Matthews and gold medallists at the Winter Games in Sochi Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton, Olympics), Kelly Gallagher and Charlotte Evans (Alpine skiing, Paralympics).

An MBE was also awarded to brave teenager Stephen Sutton following his fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Stephen, who sadly lost his battle with cancer last month, had accepted the proposed award before his death.