Tina has been recognised for her services to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is a true honour for Tina, and it is very well deserved!
I am sure you are all incredibly proud of Tina and all the work she has done for the children of Medway!
Press release:
The Chief Executive of the Rivermead Inclusive Trust, Tina Lovey, has been awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Tina Lovey co-founded the Medway-based Trust in 2016 and has dedicated her work to achieving the best possible outcomes for children across nine schools and provisions, including two specialist settings for learners with autism and complex mental health needs.
Tina has always focussed her attention on people and real human connection, and her emotive leadership has meant her pupils and staff have consistently remained at the heart of every decision. As a committed individual, Tina works tirelessly to support those around her and has been a beacon of good practice and resilience, positively impacting the lives of thousands of children, families, and colleagues.
Working closely with the local authority is important to Tina, and she has sat on the Medway Local Authority Board for Children and Young People as headteacher representative, offering her knowledge and expertise to champion young people with Education and Health Care Plans.
Tina has been pivotal in the local community at times when others have looked for strong and decisive leadership, and during the pandemic she ensured educational stability for her pupils. She made sure vulnerable children across Medway were not forgotten, and her schools remained open throughout lockdowns, including through midterm and summer breaks. During this difficult time, she campaigned for children, their families, and teachers, making sure their voices and needs were heard at a high level through her role as Chair of the Medway Secondary Headteacher Association, and as part of Medway’s multi-agency Covid-19 response group.
Respite care for children with complex needs, and their families, is something Tina is passionate about, and she has continued to ensure the Trust offers holiday respite services through the Rivermead Outreach Community Challenge (ROCC). Tina developed the programme to keep children engaged during school breaks and to support families, and as a result children are safeguarded and consistently have had their needs met.
Tina has also established a limited company, ‘Rivermead Solutions’, set up in 2016 to provide therapeutic services to young people within the Rivermead Inclusive Trust, and across Kent to allow more young people access to training and specialist services for speech and language, occupational therapy, art therapy, and much needed counselling.
Tina said “I am truly humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. After getting over the initial shock and feeling very emotional and delighted all at the same time, I reflected that this is not just about the recipient, this is ultimately for the children that I serve, and I really hope that colleagues see that this honour is for every single person who works at Rivermead Inclusive Trust - the wonderful, compassionate, and hard-working staff that work to make children and young people’s lives enhanced each day.
“I am so proud to work with such amazing people and my dream was to always have an impact, therapeutically and holistically, to underpin academic excellence to enhance the life choices and life chances of the children in my care and beyond.
“Special thanks especially to my family, and special recognition of the Trust Board for their unwavering support. Warm thanks goes also to my executive team, core team and Headteachers who support me every step of the way.”
Justin Stuart, Chair of the Rivermead Inclusive Trust, said: “I am incredibly proud of Tina for being awarded an OBE. Her dedication, hard work, and exceptional leadership skills have enabled the Rivermead Inclusive Trust to provide holistic, inclusive learning experiences that are transforming the lives of the learners within our school communities and beyond.”