Man dedicated to education receives MBE from prince

A former headteacher and school governor who served in schools in Portsmouth for several decades has been made an MBE.
Michael Pipes from Southbourne went to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE medalMichael Pipes from Southbourne went to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE medal
Michael Pipes from Southbourne went to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE medal

Michael Pipes, 80, of South Lane in Southbourne, was awarded the award in the Queen’s New Years Honours List for Services to Education.

He travelled to Buckingham Palace in London on March 20 to receive the gong from Prince William.

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Richard Starkey – more commonly known as Ringo Starr from The Beatles – was knighted by the Duke of Cambridge on the same day.

Michael Pipes with his wife June and daughter Debbie Johnson

at Buckingham PalaceMichael Pipes with his wife June and daughter Debbie Johnson

at Buckingham Palace
Michael Pipes with his wife June and daughter Debbie Johnson at Buckingham Palace

After studying physics at St Peter’s Oxford University, Mr Pipes went on to teach physics in secondary schools from 1959 to 1975.

He then moved to Portsmouth in 1975 as founding Head of City of Portsmouth Boys School, successfully running the large comprehensive school of 1,700 teenage boys. He left the post in 1989.

In May 1981 he was invited to become a governor of The Portsmouth Grammar School, based in Old Portsmouth. For over three decades, he worked with a number of headteachers at the school to try and raise educational standards in the city.

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From 1987 to 1988 Mr Pipes was also president of the National Association of Headteachers, becoming a significant figure within education.

Outside the palaceOutside the palace
Outside the palace

He served on several important national committees, including the Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (Cate) Schools Council, National Foundation for Education Research, Council of the Institute of Physics and as vice-chairman of governors of Portsmouth Polytechnic during its transition to university status.

He has also served as the headmaster of Warminster School, an independent school in Wiltshire. His final job was as a member of the School Improvement Team at Ofsted.

Mr Pipes retired as a governor at PGS in December 2016, with headteacher James Priory saying he had ‘in all likelihood been one of the longest-serving governors in the country’.

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Mr Pipes travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive his award with wife June, 82, and daughters Debbie and Sarah.

Michael Pipes with his wife June and daughter Debbie Johnson

at Buckingham PalaceMichael Pipes with his wife June and daughter Debbie Johnson

at Buckingham Palace
Michael Pipes with his wife June and daughter Debbie Johnson at Buckingham Palace

He said: ‘It came as total surprise. There had been no whispers or hints or anything. Only when they said it said it was for governance in Hampshire that I worked out it had to be the grammar school. When I spoke with the headmaster he agreed he had made the recommendation, but he had no idea if it was successful or not until I phoned.’

Eldest daughter Debbie, 55, said: ‘As a family we are enormously proud of him and all he has contributed to education.’