A RETIRED Solihull headteacher who still has a full schedule helping young people across the borough has been bestowed an MBE.
Ian Carnell was named in the New Years Honours list for services to young people in Solihull.
Speaking to The Observer Ian said it was a wonderful surprise when he received the letter telling him the news.
He added: “I was very taken back that someone had gone to the trouble to nominate me.
“Since the news broke I have had so many pupils from over the years contact me and leave me messages to congratulate me on my MBE.
“My main reward is not the award itself but the fact that quite a lot of ex-pupils have taken the trouble to put it on Facebook or email me after all these years to congratulate me.”
Over the years Ian has taught at a number of schools across Birmingham and became headteacher at St Margaret’s Primary School in 1982 then at Greswold Primary School in 1988. He retired in 2006.
Instead of relaxing at home and enjoying some time to himself, Ian decided to continue volunteering with young people during his retirement.
His diary is just as packed as ever as he organises activities for the Scouts across the borough including five Christmas concerts over the festive period, and sits on and chairs school governor meetings.
He also chairs Educaid Africa – a Solihull based charity helping secondary school-aged children in Kenya go to school, preaches at United Reformed churches when needed and teaches maths to primary school children of higher abilities.
One letter sent to Ian read: “So lovely to see that my former primary school head teacher Mr Carnell has been awarded an MBE for services to young people. He really is one of the best teachers in the world and such a lovely man.”
Another paid tribute to his 50-year-long career in the Scouts: “Did so much for me and some of the old gang in Cubs and Scouting as well. Brilliant community figure and leader. So well deserved.”
