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Class Act: Cass School of Education graduates celebrate academic success

Friday 20 November 2009

L-R Kevin Everett, Ralph Tabberer, Ann Slater, Lord Rix, Graham Curtis, Professor Susan Price, Linda Amrane-Cooper and Sir Michael Wilshaw

Hundreds of newly qualified teachers and other graduates of UEL’s Cass School of Education celebrated their academic success on Tuesday 17 November. The graduates were personally congratulated by Chancellor Lord Rix as they crossed the stage at the Barbican Hall in front of their proud families and friends.

Honorary Doctorates of Education were awarded to Ralph Tabberer, one of the most high profile educationists of his generation and Sir Michael Wilshaw, Principal of the Mossbourne Community Academy.

Accepting his award of Honorary Doctor of Education, Sir Michael Wilshaw said: "I am very proud to be part of a noble profession. All of you are here today because your lives have been touched at some point by a teacher who has inspired you. When you go on to work with children and young people you will become their inspiration."

In 2003, Sir Michael was appointed to lead Mossbourne Community Academy which replaced the failed Hackney Downs School. Since then Sir Michael’s achievement has been to work with business and the community to secure the best possible education for students of the school. Ofsted described leadership as "outstanding" and Sir Michael’s relentless focus on discipline and standards, including a house system and strict school uniform policy, has helped boost standards and exam success.

Ralph Tabberer, who was awarded Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List, said: "Education is transformational – it allows people to cross boundaries and barriers in their lives, but that transformation can only be achieved with clear educational ambition."

Ralph Tabberer who has held most of the top posts in education including National Grid for Learning, Chief Executive of the Teacher Training Agency and most recently Director General of Schools – currently works in Dubai, setting up international schools in developing countries. Ralph explained that many of these schools despite having lower or equivalent resources to UK schools, out-perform them by 20 – 30 per cent, which he attributes to much greater parental and pupil educational ambition.

The Student Vote of Thanks was given by Jane Scawthorn (39) of Barking and Dagenham. Jane graduated with a BA (Hons) Facilitating Learning and Development. Jane said: "As a mature student who never ever thought I would go to university and to now find myself before you having not only completed my degree, but, also giving the Vote of Thanks, well, it makes me want to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming."

Dean of the Cass School of Education, Ann Slater, said: "For everyone here today, this must be one of the happiest days of your life and I wish you every success in the future."

The magnificent Cass School of Education’s £8 million building, designed by award-winning Richard Murphy Architects, with support from Sir John Cass’s Foundation was officially launched by Cherie Blair in October 2009.

The Cass School of Education Ceremony was the fourth of UEL’s six graduation ceremonies taking place between now and 3 December.

Celebrating Success – prize winners and case studies

Jaffar Jama of Southwark, won the “Peter Martin Prize” for his outstanding achievement on the BA (Hons) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with Education and Community Development. The Prize was presented onstage to Jaffar by Supang and Sarah Martin, daughters of the late Professor Peter Martin who died suddenly earlier in the year.

Jaffar said: “Having discovered my interest in linguistics, I attended one of the many extra-curricular seminars at UEL, which gave me the opportunity to meet Professor Peter Martin. I participated in a series of seminars with him in which I had the pleasure of discussing the importance of community languages and shared my experience of a complementary school that I was involved with.”

Claire Burke (25) of Leytonstone, winner of the “Swan Prize for Primary Teaching”, said: “I am delighted to be at last working in a job that I really love. A big thanks to mentors in schools, tutors in UEL and most of all to the friends I made here.” Claire is currently working as a Year 3 Primary School Teacher.

Mumtaz Hussain (27) of Hackney, was celebrating her success in winning the “Talvinder Kaur Padam Prize” for her BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree. She said: ”I have made some great friends and I am really proud of myself!”

Carnita Cenac (35) from Tower Hamlets won the “Kerry Dodd Prize” for her degree in BA (Hons) Language Education. She said: “The ambience for study at UEL is nothing short of fantastic, the lecturers are extremely well versed and discussions are always filled with dynamism. The International Student Service is nothing short of brilliant!”

Lauren Kinnersley (23) of Romford in Havering, Essex won the “Rachel Moore Prize” for Secondary Teaching for her PGCE in PE teaching. Lauren said: “All the hard work and dedication has finally paid off but I could not have done it without the support of my tutor and fellow students!”

Paul Harper (44) of Hither Green in Lewisham won the “Clem Medford Prize” for his degree in BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work. Paul said: “Doing the degree course has really broadened my horizon, especially where I had never aspired to go to University before. I found reading and researching enjoyable. Researching for the assignments and learning new things raised my aspirations to do and achieve.”

Denise Daniel (43) of Stratford in Newham was celebrating her Certificate in Education in Post Compulsory Education and Training. Denise said: “Being a mature student, being able to fit work children and studying with the support of my tutors was what enabled me to achieve my goal.”

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Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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