Honorary graduates

2008

Mr Barry Day OBE, Headteacher of Greenwood Dale School

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education in recognition of his outstanding work to raise the aspirations and attainment of young people in the city of Nottingham, reflecting not only his success in transforming Greenwood Dale School in Nottingham but also his broader influence in raising educational standards nationally.

Bary Day OBEMr Day was appointed Headteacher of Greenwood Dale School in Nottingham in 1992. The school serves a community which faces significant challenges and when he joined the school it catered for 600 11-16 year olds, less than 13 per cent of whom achieved five or more good GCSEs. Thanks to his vision and determination, it has risen to become one of the country's highest performing schools for adding value to children's education between Key Stages 2 and 4. Now a Technology College and Leading Edge School for 1,300 students with a thriving sixth form, 80 per cent of its pupils obtain five or more good GCSEs. The school's results are now so outstanding that it is in the top one per cent in the country for CVA (Contextual Value Added) education.

Known nationally as an outstanding headteacher, Mr Day's career has been based on a strong conviction that all children can learn and succeed if they are taught well, no matter how disadvantaged their lives outside school may be. An enthusiastic advocate of the University's work in teacher education, his school regularly takes teacher training students on placement, providing them with excellent professional guidance.