A popular and inspirational headteacher has been awarded an OBE for her services to education.

Marva Rollins, headteacher at Raynham Primary School and Children’s Centre in Raynham Avenue, Edmonton, will visit Buckingham Palace on February 23 to receive the honour from the Queen.

It is a double celebration as she has also recently received a special Golden Jubilee Award from the Barbados government recognising her as an outstanding member of the Barbadian community.

The gong was presented by Sir Garfield Sobers, a celebrated cricketer who played for the West Indies between 1954 and 1974.

Mrs Rollins said: “I was amazed when I was told I had been awarded an OBE - it came as a complete surprise, especially as it comes just after I had received the medal from Sir Garfield, which made me extremely proud.

“But it is not just recognition of my career in education, it is recognition of Raynham’s success, the OBE is not just for me, it is for the highly talented team that I have the privilege to work with.”

Mrs Rollins has led Raynham Primary for 17 years, which with 880 pupils is one of the largest primaries in the country.