The boss of a charity that aims to boost the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils has been given one of the top honours in the country.
Kevan Collins, (pictured) 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.”
The full list of those honoured is:
Knights Bachelor
Dr Kevan Arthur Collins, chief executive Education Endowment Foundation. For services to education.
Michael Lawrence Davis, chair Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission. For services to Holocaust Commemoration and education.
Thomas Baird Jeffery, CB, director general, Department for Education, Children’s Services and Departmental Strategy Directorate. For services to the DfE.
Nicholas John Weller, executive principal Dixons Academies, Bradford. For services to education.
CBE
Diana Owen. Chief executive and Trustee LEAD Academy Trust. For services to education.
Hamid Patel. Chief executive Tauheedul Education. For services to education.
Francesca Sulke. Executive director Children and Young People, Lewisham, London. For services to education.
OBE
Sarah Louise Bailey, executive headteacher Queensbridge Primary School, De Beauvoir School and Mapledene Children’s Centre, Hackney. For services to education.
Donna Barratt, headteacher, Glebe Primary School, Harrow. For services to education.
Professor Christopher John Budd, professor in Applied Mathematics University of Bath. For services to science and mathematics education.
Elizabeth Bull, headteacher Slated Row School, Milton Keynes. For services to education.
Patrice Canavan, headteacher Oaklands School, Tower Hamlets, London. For services to education.
Lauren Costello, executive headteacher, The Federation of Moredon Primary and Nursery School and Rodbourne Cheney Primary School, Swindon. For services to education.
Lesley Jean Davies, council member and Education Trustee NACRO. For services to education.
Sharon Lesley Gray, headteacher Netherfield Primary School, Nottingham. For services to education.
Andrew Stephen Griffiths, headteacher Ellowes Hall Sports College, Dudley, West Midlands. For services to education.
Jack Hatch, headteacher St. Bede Church of England Primary Academy, Bolton. For services to education.
John Hamilton Henderson, executive headteacher White Woods Multi Academy Trust, Rotherham. For services to education.
Kevin Hollins, principal Knutsford Academy, Cheshire. For services to education.
Georgetta Elaine Holloway, director, The Central Learning Partnership Trust and headteacher, Heath Park Academy, Wolverhampton. For services to education.
Sally Elizabeth Jaeckle, early years services manager Bristol City Council and senior adviser, South West National Strategies. For services to early years education.
Colin Alexander Kinnear, for services to the arts and education in Worcestershire.
Desmond Paul Lambert, principal Plumpton College. For services to land based education and young people.
Thomas Mannion, headteacher St. Aloysius College, Islington. For services to education.
Peter Joseph McPartland, headteacher Trinity Special School, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. For services to special educational needs.
Dr Dayo Olukoshi, Principal Brampton Manor Academy, East Ham, London. For services to education.
Elizabeth Seers, headteacher, Heaton School, Stockport. For services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
David Mark Sellens, headteacher Thomas Jones Primary School, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. For services to education.
Margaret Anne Walpole, headteacher, Paddock School, Wandsworth. For services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
John Woodward, chief executive Officer Busy Bees Group. For services to early years education.
MBE
Raymond Barker, chair of governors Honilands Primary School, Enfield and director, British Education Supplies Association. For services to education.
Sharon Bell, Broadwater Children’s Centre manager, Stevenage. For services to children and families.
Alice Jane Bennett, principal, Madresfield Early Years Centre, Worcestershire. For services to early years education.
Jennifer Susan Boyd, headteacher, Rosewood Special Free School, Southampton. For services to special education.
Patricia Carroll, operations manager, Peterlee Contact Centre, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to taxpayers and voluntary service to education in Hartlepool.
Suzanne Chambers, partnership headteacher tutor, University of Cumbria, Lancashire. For services to education.
Dorothy Alma Clark. For services to education and to the community in Surrey.
Clare Collins. chair of governors Weyfield Primary Academy, Surrey. For services to education and school governance.
Christine Jane Cook, school inclusion manager, Hayes Primary School. For services to special educational needs and disabilities.
Emma Louise Cravitz, educational psychologist. For services to children and families particularly in London.
Linda Helen Crawley, chair of governors and proposer, Alban City School. For services to education.
Derek Esp, for services to education and to the community in Hinton St George and Yeovil Somerset.
Julia Elizabeth Grove, chair, Free Church Education Committee. For services to education.
Robert Michael Hadfield, chair of governors Crampton Primary School, Walworth, London. For services to education.
Kathleen Rebecca Harker, basic skills development manager, Ministry of Defence. For services to army education.
Bernadette Susan Holmes, teacher and modern languages education advocate. For services to education.
Louise Marie Hough, assistant head of service resonate, Liverpool’s Music Hub. For services to music education.
Elizabeth Sinclair-House, for services to education and to the community in West London.
Lynn Margaret Jones, assistant principal, Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy, Staffordshire. For services to education.
Peter Kessler, founder and chair of governors Eden Primary, Muswell Hill, London. For services to education.
Claire Louise Layland, special educational needs teacher, Plymouth. For services to special educational needs.
Donna Marie Lewis, head of consolidation and financial reporting Education Funding Agency. For services to education.
Robert Sidney Love, local authority governor Morden Mount Primary School, Greenwich, London. For services to education.
Jean Lesley Lewis, chair of governors, Ashmount Special School, Loughborough. For services to education.
Ann McDonald, voluntary trusts secretary, The Mary Budding Trust. For services to children and young people with special educational needs.
Heather Ann Ogburn, founder, HMS Heroes. For services to education.
Aileen Margaret Parry, chair of governors, Oaklands School, Cheshire. For services to special educational needs and disabilities.
Alison Mary Pendle, founder and committee member, West Wiltshire Portage Service. For services to special educational needs and disabilities.
David John Henry Pickthall, music teacher Brentwood School, Essex. For services to education and to charity.
Garry Douglas Reed, headteacher Swimbridge Church of England Primary School, North Devon. For services to education.
Frances Mary Rodgers, volunteer, early years sector and founder, Rodett Playgroups. For services to children and early education.
Roy Simpson, for services to education, cricket and to the community in Durham.
Rosemary Mantia Campbell-Stephens, educator consultant, Equality and Diversity Leader and Leadership Trainer. For services to education.
John Alexander Vincent, restauranteur. For services to school food.
Sheila Williams, volunteer, Petts Wood Playgroup, Kent. For services to children with special educational needs and their families.
BEM
Helen Mary Ayling, vice-chair of governors, Uplands School, Sandhurst. For services to education.
Elaine Lilian Ferry, dance teacher and principal, Three Spires Dance School. For services to dance in Coventry.
Caroline Estella Fowke, volunteer, Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and Governor, Sheldon School, Wiltshire. For services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Claire Judge, volunteer, development committee, Ashurst Wood Community Pre-School. For services to early years education.
Deborah Alison Lammin, choir mistress, Burntwood School Chamber Choir, London. For services to education.
Anne Robson Lloyd, drama teacher, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne. For services to education and to the community in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Glenda Mee, teaching assistant, Impington Village College, Cambridgeshire. For services to young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
If these individuals have the respect of all their pupils, teachers, staff and parents …..congratulations!