'Awe-inspiring' Leicester schools teacher honoured 50 years on

A teacher who inspired thousands of young people during her career across a number of Leicester schools has been awarded an honorary degree by the university where it all started 50 years ago. Carolyn Robson CBE received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Leicester during a graduation ceremony at the city's De Montfort Hall this week.

After graduating from the university, Carolyn decided to remain in the city and embarked on her lifetime in education. Her career as a headteacher took her to the former Riverside College, in Rowley Fields, Fullhurst Community College, in Braunstone, and Rushey Mead School.

The university said its former student had been a "tireless, passionate advocate for the value of education" and had been an inspirational figure to the children in her schools. Under her leadership, Rushey Mead achieved three 'outstanding' Ofsted ratings and was awarded the British Council’s prestigious International School Award, also on three occasions, the university said.

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In 2014, she became the founding chief executive of the Mead Educational Trust, an academy which runs 13 primary and secondary schools in Leicester. The trust works with the university’s School of Education to offer a training programme that leads to a University of Leicester PGCE teaching qualification.

Carolyn has also held appointments at the Teaching Schools Council, British Council Educational Advisory Group and the National STEM Centre Advisory Boards and was a founder member of national education charity Challenge Partners. She was awarded a CBE in recognition of her sustained outstanding contribution to educational improvement and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the prestigious Pearson’s National Teaching Awards.

Carolyn said: “I am extremely grateful to be awarded this honorary degree and to mark 50 years of my relationship with the University of Leicester, in my adopted home town. Together we have had the privilege in supporting many young people in their learning journey.”

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester, said: “Carolyn’s journey from a University of Leicester student to national leader in education is awe-inspiring and it is made even more special that her achievements have been forged right here, in the city. Thousands of young people in Leicestershire have had their lives shaped in a positive manner thanks to Carolyn’s passion and talent for education.

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