It was a double celebration for Keighley's Greenhead Grammar as the school and deputy head Margaret Platts received the highest possible recognition for their work in the community.

Miss Platts travelled with family and friends to Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE from the Queen in honour of her services to education and the community.

At the same time, staff, students and Sangat members had a capital time on the other side of London as they received the Schools Curriculum Award 2000 in honour of Greenhead's involvement within the local community.

Year 10 pupils Zahra Naqui, Matthew Gardner and head teacher Miles Mizon were presented with the award at the ceremony held in the Barbican Centre.

Miss Platts says: "It was a very impressive occasion and, as well as the presentation, it was fascinating to meet all the other people there.

"It's a once in a lifetime experience and just to be in Buckingham Palace was fantastic. I had a lovely chat and congratulatory hug from Alan Titchmarsh, and I managed to pass on a few teaching tips to him!"

Accompanying her on the day were mother Dorothy and college friend Marilyn Cheney, who jetted over from her home in Boston, USA, to witness the special occasion. Afterwards, Miss Platts and her party took up an invitation from Keighley MP Ann Cryer to visit the House of Commons.

Mrs Cryer provided a tour of the House and then led her guests to the Commons balcony for afternoon tea.

From there they had a perfect view of the London Eye and could see the other Greenhead party, enjoying the views of London from one of the cars on the gigantic 400ft ferris wheel.

Mr Mizon even overcame his vertigo for a ride on the huge millennium attraction.

He says: "We had a really good time and we are very pleased to receive recognition for all the effort put in by the school staff and particularly our students.

"We would also like to thank organisations outside of school for their support, especially Sangat, which was our sponsors on this occasion."

Greenhead was among 271 schools from across the UK taking a millennium bow at the ceremony. The school, which won the award in 1993, received the accolade for establishing strong community ties, extra curricular activities and links with local and regional partners in business and industry

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