The chair of an academy trust is made an MBE while the boss of Enfield Carers Centre gets a British Empire Medal

Deborah Thompson (left, credit Ivy Learning Trust) and Pamela Burke (right, credit Enfield Carers Centre)

Two Enfield women involved in education and social care have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Deborah Thompson, who chairs local academy group Ivy Learning Trust, has been made an MBE, while Pamela Burke, chief executive of Enfield Carers Centre, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Deborah has directly contributed to the education of tens of thousands of children in Enfield for more than 50 years. She has also inspired and supported hundreds of teachers, collaborating with them to raise standards for every child.

Deborah began her education career in 1974 when she joined Enfield County School as a teacher. She moved into primary teaching and leadership in 1989 and later worked as head of school improvement at Enfield Council, before retiring in 2016. Since 2017, she has been chair of the trust board at Ivy Learning Trust, which has grown from managing two schools to 17 under Deborah’s leadership.

Enfield Carers Centre is a local charity providing holistic support to carers across the borough and Pamela has been chief executive of the charity since 2012, after its merger with Enfield Mental Health Carers.

Under Pam’s “inspirational” leadership, including a successful response to Covid-19, Enfield Carers Centre has become a leading health and social care provider in the borough, supporting over 8,200 unpaid carers of all ages with access to a wide range of advice, information and support services.

Commenting on her MBE Deborah, a grandmother-of-seven who is also a governor at two schools in Enfield, said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw the official looking correspondence from the Cabinet Office on my doormat and it was an incredible shock to read that I had been awarded an MBE.

“It is an honour, but also a reflection of the many dedicated people who work tirelessly to give children the education they deserve. It has been a privilege to inspire and support children and to work in, and with, schools in Enfield over the past 50 years.”

Commenting on her British Empire Medal, Pamela said: “I am genuinely astounded to receive this award; it is an honour to be recognised in this way. I could not do the work I do without my dedicated team; together we make Enfield Carers Centre the success that it is.

“Ultimately, we are here to improve the lives of unpaid carers and the people who themselves need care and support across Enfield, some of whom face high levels of inequality. This award will help the Centre to raise awareness of the challenges faced by carers and enhance our commitment to providing outstanding social care in our borough.”

Reacting to Deborah’s MBE, Matthew Kleiner-Mann, CEO of Ivy Learning Trust, said: “I have known Deborah for 17 years and she was invaluable in coaching me through my first years of headship.

“When Ivy Learning Trust was formed, there was only one person I could think of who had the integrity, knowledge and strategic foresight to lead and grow a trust, and that was Deborah. Under her leadership, we have taken two schools out of special measures and all schools inspected have been good or outstanding.”

Reacting to Pamela’s British Empire Medal, Tim Hellings, chair of Enfield Carers Centre, said: “Through Pam’s inspiring leadership, drive and vision, the Enfield Carers Centre has developed into the first Hub within the borough from which a wide range of care and support is provided to address the various needs and contributions made by those in unpaid caring roles.

“The centre is now established as a beacon of good practice, with the clear mission of ensuring that its services are tailored to meet the individual needs of both carers, and people receiving care. Pam’s creative, collaborative approach and partnership working have, over the years, expanded the centre by successfully accessing a range of additional funding and resources.

“Pam has made a hugely significant contribution.”

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