Career
She was Headteacher at Beaumont Hill Technology College, Darlington, from 1992 until she retired in 2010, after 35 years in the field of education. Beaumont Hill is Darlington"s only special school and has the full range of pupils with special educational needs including emotional behavioural difficulties. Smith has had extensive experience at a national level and is a regular speaker at conferences.
She is chair of the Association of Special School Heads for Tees Valley and Darlington.
Beaumont Hill in Darlington, County Durham caters for children aged five to 19 with a range of special needs. "I"m still reeling", she said in 2001 when she was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
""I feel absolutely stunned, and very humbled as well because it"s such a tremendous honour.".