Lady Northbourne, chair of governors of Northbourne Park School, Kent, has been appointed a Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite by President Chirac. The award recognises her success in establishing an Anglo-French prep school in the old family house of her husband, Lord Northbourne.

Angela Pelmutter, head of Sir James Smith’s Community School, Camelford, Cornwall, is to become head of advisory services for Cornwall, from January 1. She is being seconded for three years.

Nigel Flynn, formerly head of Northwood Preparatory School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, is to succeed George Malcolm as head of Twickenham Prep, Hampton, Middlesex, from September 1.

Jonathan Glen, head of St Petroc’s School, Bude, Cornwall, will become head of Terrington Hall, York, in September upon the retirement of Desmond Gray. Mr Glen is a former old boy of the school.

Malvern Girls’ College, Worcestershire, has appointed Philippa Leggate, currently head of an international co-educational school in Sri Lanka, as head from September. Sam Hesketh, formerly vice-principal of North East Worcestershire College, has been appointed bursar, and Edward David, formerly director of the British Council Wales, has been appointed marketing director of the college.

Kate Williams, formerly head of the Open College’s vocational and educational training unit, has been promoted to the post of regional business development manager for the North and Midlands.

The University of North London has awarded an honorary fellowship to Deborah Cooper, director of Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities.

Dr Dorit Braun, a manager at Northamptonshire Health Authority and former director of the Education for Family Life Project at the Open University, is to become chief executive of the National Stepfamily Association in February.