Congratulations to all the education leaders recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours
15th June 2015
Kevan Collins, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, will be recognised for services to education with a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Nick Weller, the executive principal of Dixons Academies, in Bradford, will also be knighted. The academy trust runs seven schools in the Yorkshire city and took over the troubled Kings Science Academy free school.
Michael Davis, chair of the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission, and Tom Jeffery – the director general of the Department for Education (DfE), Children’s Services and Departmental Strategy Directorate – are also to be knighted for services to education.
No dame hoods were given out in the schools sector.
Dr Collins, 54, started teaching in the 1980s in Tower Hamlets. The EEF boss appeared on Channel 4 show Undercover Boss while working as chief executive of the borough.
He became chief executive of EEF when the foundation launched in 2011.
He said: “I am honoured to receive this recognition. Since starting out as a primary teacher in the East End of London, I’ve been privileged to work with many fantastic organisations and people dedicated to improving education for children and young people.
“Through my work with the EEF, it’s been a joy to witness the collective will of schools up-and-down the country to tackle the massive issue of educational inequality in our system and improve outcomes for children from disadvantaged communities.”
A statement from the Cabinet Office said: “In total, about 11 per cent of honours are for work in education.
“The Education Committee has recommended 30 headteachers in total, including a CBE for Diana Owen, Trustee and Chief executive of the L.E.A.D. Academy Trust in Nottingham.”
The LEAD Academy Trust is responsible for 12 primary schools.
Ms Owens, a national leader of education since 2008 and former teacher and headteacher, said: “I feel so honoured to receive the award. The success of the LEAD Academy Trust is down to a lot of people’s hard work, determination and commitment to provide a high quality education for all the children in our schools.
“I will be dedicating the award to everyone who is part of the Trust.”
For services to special educational needs, Peter McPartland, the headteacher of Trinity Special School in Dagenham, will receive an OBE.
He said: “I was very proud, surprised, a little embarrassed and a little guilty because I know that OBEs are awarded on the strength of many other people who have supported me in my work.
“I’m very proud to represent the special schools service in this way. I represent the work of many hard working pupils, parents and staff and it is an honour to accept this award on behalf of them and I think I should acknowledge the support that I have been given by many people over my many years.”
Dayo Olukoshi, the principal of Brampton Manor Academy in East Ham, London, will also receive an OBE for services to education.
Dr Olukoshi said: “For me, the reward I get from helping to make a difference to the life chances of the young people and families that I have been fortunate to work with over the years is more than sufficient.
“This award is for Brampton Manor Academy and we are truly grateful to Her Majesty, the Queen for this amazing recognition. We are also reminded that our job is not yet done.”
Read the full list of those honoured on the Schools Week website
