HEADTEACHER Derek Wise has been awarded a CBE for his 36 years of service to local and national education.

Mr Wise, 59, has been head at Cramlington Community High School since 1990, during which time it has twice been rated outstanding by Ofsted and achieved exam results which put it in the country’s top 10% of schools.

London-born Mr Wise, whose mother comes from Newcastle, started his career in 1972.

Yesterday, Mr Wise, a widower, said: "I am delighted to receive this honour, both personally and for the recognition it gives the school and the local community we serve."