Bath Spa University, the largest provider of teacher education in the South West, has awarded honorary BA Education Degrees to nearly 750 of its teaching alumni who previously studied for a Certificate in Education at one of its predecessor colleges between 1948 and 1981.
Three days of ceremonies took place this week across the university’s Bath and Corsham-based campuses to mark the honorary degrees being conferred on the teachers, almost all of them now retired.
The events also celebrated the achievements of all those who completed their courses as far back as the same year the NHS was founded. More than 400 attended in person, joined by friends and families.
Due to an overhaul of the education system in the 1940s, and a shortage of teachers after the Second World War, many new training colleges were established.
These included Bath Academy of Art, Bath College of Domestic Science and Newton Park Teacher Training College – predecessor institutions of Bath Spa University.
At the ceremonies, each honorary graduate was announced by a master of ceremonies from a roll call of names and presented with a scroll.
Group photographs were then taken, followed by cake and tea with current staff. The graduates were encouraged to draw on their memories from years gone by.
In their speeches at the ceremonies, the university’s vice-chancellor Prof Sue Rigby and head of its School of Education Kyriaki Anagnostopoulou paid tribute to the alumni’s hard work and dedication, and the lives they transformed through their decades of teaching.
Prof Sue Rigby said: “I am delighted to extend my warmest congratulations to all our alumni who are receiving an Honorary Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree.
“The award is given in recognition of the academic rigour demanded by the Certificate in Education and for subsequent services to education they have all given.
“Together we are celebrating Bath Spa University, the colleges that came before, and all the lives that have been touched through teaching.
“The impact of education and teaching has been and will continue to be one of the most defining areas of growth throughout our communities; and we thank you for all you have done during your careers.
“It is our honour to bestow this recognition on you. On behalf of all the staff, students and lives you have touched, we wish you every happiness.”
Prof Anagnostopoulou added: “I’m absolutely delighted that we're offering honorary degrees to our alumni.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea and a wonderful opportunity to showcase their contribution to society as a whole and to the region, as well as nationally and internationally.
“My message to them is ‘You've had amazing careers. You have influenced so many lives, and you’ve done an amazing job. Thank you for giving back’.”
Bath Spa University’s School of Education is now one of the highest-rated providers of teacher education in the country and the largest provider of teacher education in the South West.
In 2015, all its teacher training routes were once again graded as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted – reflecting, the university said, the same grit, determination and commitment to training great teachers established more than 75 years ago.
Honorary BA Education Degree graduates at Corsham Court with Bath Spa vice-chancellor Prof Sue Rigby, centre
