A FORMER deputy headteacher at a Kirriemuir school has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Isobel “Mo” Brodie, who retired from Webster’s High School in the summer after 14 years, has been recognised for her services to education in the annual list.

A surprised Mrs Brodie was delighted to receive the honour after an anonymous nominee put her forward in recognition of her many years service to the school.

“The news came totally out of the blue and I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “I’ve no idea who nominated me. It was a great pleasure to work at Webster’s under head teacher Eric Summers.

“Webster’s is a very good school. I was lucky to be there as depute for all those years and the school has just fantastic kids,” she added.

She began her teaching career soon after she and her husband moved to Dundee from London in the 1970s. She had worked as a personnel officer at a bank before deciding to make the switch in careers after her family’s move north.

She worked at St Saviour’s school in Dundee for “20 happy years,” becoming head of maths, before taking up a post as assistant rector at Webster’s High.

Four years later she was promoted the role of deputy head, a position she held for a decade until her retiral.

As well as her positions at the two Tayside schools, Mrs Brodie also worked as a schools inspector.

She was invited onto the inspection team after Webster’s received a very favourable report and she undertook two or three inspections every year. She also taught a school timetabling course for people around Scotland.

Angus Council deputy leader and Kirriemuir councillor Ian Mackintosh has hailed Mrs Brodie for her achievements in education. He believes the honour recognises not only her devotion to her job but also Webster’s high standing in the wider community.

“She thoroughly deserves the honour,” he said. “She is very highly thought of at Webster’s and was a superb teacher and administrator highly appreciated by staff.

“Everyone was very sad when she retired as she was somebody who was very much loved by pupils and colleagues.

“It’s a very, very deserving accolade for someone like Mo. I can think of times when these honours are awarded to someone and you wonder why, but Mo is someone who gives 110% and thoroughly deserves her MBE.

“I think the award is also a reflection of how highly thought of Webster’s is in the wider community.

“We’re very lucky to have a school like that around,” he added.

And a retired Perthshire teacher is to receive the CBE for services to education.

Donna Johnston Hindmarch, from Coupar Angus, is also among those recognised in the 2009 New Year Honours.

Formerly depute headteacher at Coupar Angus Primary, Miss Hindmarch’s career in education spanned some 37 years.

She first taught at Bannockburn, working there for two years before making the move to Perthshire, where she became depute head.

She remained at the school until her retirement in June of this year.