Devoted teachers, charity fundraisers, business leaders and heroic firefighters in Wiltshire have all been commended in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list.

In a year like no other, the work of key workers has been vital.

This year's Honours List includes Mercedes Henning, from Edington, who is headteacher of Holy Trinity CofE Primary Academy.

She has been awarded an MBE for services to education in Wiltshire. 

Two of her main focuses include promoting cultural awareness and integrating the school with the local community.  

While the school is nestled in the small village of Great Cheverell, children nevertheless are up to speed on culture across the world.

Classes have recently enjoyed a Diwali day, complete with a Bollywood dance session, and also know to sing in both Zulu and Tswana.

The modest Mrs Henning says her MBE reflects the work of wider school staff, parents and the Great Cheverell community.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: On November 25 the school held a Diwali day hosted by Kalpesh of K’Z DanceOn November 25 the school held a Diwali day hosted by Kalpesh of K’Z Dance

She said: “I got an email rather than a letter telling me of the news. I thought it was a scam trying to persuade me I had been given an MBE - so I was about to delete it.

"But I mentioned it to my admin officer who told me to stop, which was really lucky! It was a hair's breadth from being lost, I just couldn't believe it was real.

“It feels a little like imposter syndrome. This is a tribute not to me but to the amazing network around me - you can’t provide great education alone. In Africa we have the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. That's the case here - you need a community behind you to make a real difference at any school.

"I have a wonderful family, stunning support staff and an amazing team of governors at the school. The parents are also fantastic in creating a school environment we are proud of."

Mrs Henning was born in Zambia and moved from South Africa - where she taught chemistry and physics in a secondary school - to Wiltshire where she took up the role of class teacher at Holy Trinity School in 2001.

The headteacher at the time, John Bridges, appointed her deputy in 2004 and the following year she took up the role of headteacher.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Headteacher Mercedes Henning with pupils l-r Joe, Aidan, Martha, Mollie, Abi and Tom from Holy Trinity School in 2016Headteacher Mercedes Henning with pupils l-r Joe, Aidan, Martha, Mollie, Abi and Tom from Holy Trinity School in 2016

Her leadership at Holy Trinity School has gone on to inspire others across the teaching profession.

In 2016, the village school was ranked one of the very best primaries in the South West.

Mrs Henning continued: “I want these children to grow up and know they can make a difference in the world.

“I hope they can grow up with enough compassion and courage to live their lives joyfully. We have a big poster up in the school that says 'stand up for what is right, even if you stand alone' which is something we want to encourage."

She added: "Teachers across the country have done such a great job this year and adapted to all sorts of changes.

"I hope this award reflects the wider work of the profession this year. I know it's been a real gleam of light in my family's life."