Mon 13th Jun 2016

REC former Company Secretary to receive OBE in Queen's Birthday Honours

The RE Council is thrilled and delighted to learn that Deborah Weston has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Religious Education, inter and intra-faith dialogue. Deborah has been both friend and officer of the REC for many years, most recently serving as our Company Secretary until summer 2015. 

Trevor Cooling, Chair of the REC, commented:

“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. Deborah has been a stalwart for the cause of RE nationally for as long as I can remember. She is highly influential in many ways and her advice is sought after by politicians and teachers alike. Deborah’s defining characteristic is her love of RE teaching and despite the amazing work she does in so many ways nationally, she carries on faithfully as a classroom teacher because that is where her heart is. I know that Deborah’s joy at this award will not be because of the personal recognition of her lifetime’s work, although that is richly deserved, but because it brings honour to the profession of teaching RE. This is great news. The REC Board meets on Thursday [16th June] and I think we might all join in a Desmond-Tutu-like dance to celebrate with Deborah”.

For more information about Deborah's work and a statement from her, please see the article on NATRE's website.