One of the founders of the innovative R.E.A.L. Education, which aims to re-engage young people with education, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.

Brian Smith, 64, of Teversal, launched R.E.A.L. Education in 2008 with his son, Richard.
The Mansfield-based business provides creative educational solutions for children and young people, between the ages of 5 and 19, who may be ‘lost to learning’ or ‘hard to place’.

Brian, who stepped down from his role as chairman in December and will now focus on raising the profile of R.E.A.L.’s charity arm, the R.E.A.L. Foundation Trust, said: “It’s a complete surprise and I am really taken aback. It’s a massive honour.

“I set up R.E.A.L. Education in 2008 because I wanted to help make a difference, not just to young people’s lives but to their family’s lives as well and the impact we can have on them long term.

“Over the last 10 years or so we’ve built a fabulous team of people. I think we have helped around 4,000 young people.

“Academies and schools do a fantastic job but there are always those who fall through the net.”