Heads' honours

A record number of headteachers celebrated the dawn of the millennium with a place in the New Year's Honours list. Three became knights and one a dame in the Government's drive to recognise teachers' achievements. And in June's Birthday Honours two other heads were created dames among the 100 educationists rewarded.

Alan Davies, head of Copland community school and technology centre in Brent, north London, and Bruce Liddington at Northamptonshire school for boys, were knighted for turning round failing schools. Michael Wilshaw, head of St Bonaventure's school, Newham, was rearded for improved results.

Marlene Robottom, who became a dame, also raised GCSE results above the national average at the Mulberry school for girls, east London.

In the summer Geraldine Keegan, who was head of St Mary's College, Londonderry, for 13 years, became a dame. She turned the school round before becoming pro vice-chancellor of the University of Ulster in 1997. Judith Kilpatrick, head of the City of Portsmouth girls', a Beacon school, was also made a dame.

Downing Street says the number of knights and dames among educationists now stands at 15.