DOCSLIB.ORG

“A Permanent National Necessity...”

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
“A Permanent National Necessity...” The Centenary Commission on Adult Education “A Permanent National Necessity...” Adult Education and Lifelong Learning for 21st Century Britain “A Permanent National Necessity...” - Adult Education and Lifelong Learning for 21st Century Britain The Adult Education 100 campaign #AdultEducation100 Early in 2018 a group of adult educators, recognising We have been delighted that a number of leading the historic importance of the 1919 Ministry of public figures and adult educators agreed to be Reconstruction Adult Education Committee’s Final patrons of the campaign. They are: Report, set up the Adult Education 100 campaign. We wished to encourage a programme of activities, centred ■ Ba roness Joan Bakewell, President of on the centenary of the 1919 Report, which would both Birkbeck University of London recover and re-evaluate the twentieth-century history of ■ D ame Mary Beard, Professor of Classics, adult education, and set out a vision for life-wide adult University of Cambridge education for the century ahead. ■ L alage Bown, Professor Emeritus of Adult & The campaign has four interacting themes: Continuing Education, University of Glasgow i. The ‘Centenary Commission’, composed rather ■ A ndy Haldane, Chief Economist, Bank of like the Ministry of Reconstruction Adult Education Committee, and with essentially the same brief. England ii. Research and educational projects around the ■ M el Lenehan, Principal, Fircroft College history and record of adult education, ranging from ■ J ohn Sentamu, Archbishop of York adult education classes and undergraduate student projects to research funded by research councils. ■ Si r John Hayes, MP iii. Archival and curatorial projects to preserve the ■ M ichael Sheen, Actor records of adult education. ■ R uby Wax, Comedian and Mental Health iv. ‘Knowledge exchange’ activities to build public Campaigner discussion about the role and significance of adult education. Working closely with partners from across the adult education world, the #AdultEducation100 The campaign’s Steering Group, chaired by John Holford campaign is co-ordinating a programme of events (Robert Peers Professor of Adult Education, University to communicate and discuss this Centenary of Nottingham), also consists of Sharon Clancy (Chair, Commission Report and its recommendations over Raymond Williams Foundation & Senior Research the months following publication. Fellow, University of Nottingham), Phil Coward (Regional Manager, Workers’ Educational Association), Jonathan Michie (President, Kellogg College & Director of Continuing Education, University of Oxford), Cilla Ross (Vice Principal, Co-operative College), and Nigel Todd (Chair of Trustees, Co-operative College & WEA Ambassador). Contents Preface by Andy Haldane 2 Foreword by Dame Helen Ghosh 3 Our Vision 4 Focus 1: Framing and Delivering a National 11 Ambition Focus 2: Ensuring Basic Skills 16 Focus 3: Fostering Community, Democracy and 19 Dialogue Focus 4: Promoting Creativity, Innovation and 28 Informal Learning Focus 5: Securing Individual Learning and 36 Wellbeing Focus 6: Attending to the World of Work 40 Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in 46 Scotland and Wales Conclusion 50 Appendix A: Centenary Membership 52 Appendix B: Evidence and Consultations 54 Appendix C: Glossary of Terms 57 Appendix D: The ENLIVEN Project 58 Endnotes 59 References 60 1 “A Permanent National Necessity...” - Adult Education and Lifelong Learning for 21st Century Britain Preface The 1919 Report was a clarion call. It suggested the UK The economic benefits of doing so are crystal make adult education a ‘permanent national necessity’. clear. Skill-building the workforce is a foundation The reasons were in part economic – the need to rebuild stone for growth in the economy’s productive and reskill after the first World War, to boost economic potential and in the pay packets of its citizens. With growth and prosperity. But they were also social – the growth in the economy’s potential, and its citizens’ need to repair and reweave the post-War social fabric, pay packets, having stalled for more than a decade, the to build social cohesion and satisfaction. timing could scarcely be better. In the century since, it is clear adult education has The social and civic benefits of reworking adult not been nurtured as a permanent national necessity. education are, for me, potentially greater still. Social Indeed, numbers in adult education have shrunk problems of disadvantage, disconnection and division materially over the past couple of decades. Adult loom larger than for some time. An improved adult education and vocational training in the UK lag, in education and work offering is one means of tackling some cases badly, our international competitors. those three d’s at source. This is not because the case for adult education, Doing so will not be easy. It will require purposive action economic and social, has weakened. To the on a number of fronts and by a number of actors - not contrary, those economic and social arguments have just governments, but companies and individuals. It will strengthened, significantly so, in the course of the past need a strategy set nationally, but executed locally. 100 years. This Report contains a sequence of powerful and People born today can be expected to live 90 or 100- compelling recommendations for transforming and year lives and to spend the larger part of it – maybe, embedding adult education, making it at last that 60 years – in work. This means it is now an arithmetic ‘permanent national necessity’. It is an ambitious fact of (longer) life that lifelong learning – for long a blueprint, but circumstances today and especially convenient slogan – needs to become a practical reality. tomorrow call for no less. At the same time, the world of work is being up-ended I hope the Report can change the contours of by a new technological revolution, with widespread the national debate on our educational system. automation and artificial intelligence. This will see As in the past, the UK could lead the world many, perhaps most, jobs disrupted and a large number in creating an educational system that surfs destroyed. This too will make a necessity of reskilling (rather than is sunk by) the next technological those displaced and disrupted on a systematic and wave, lifting the pay, prospects and potential comprehensive basis. of all its citizens. For three centuries, the UK’s education system has had a singular – and very successful – focus: developing cognitive skills in the young. That model is not fit for tomorrow’s purpose. The education system of tomorrow needs to span the generational spectrum – young to old – and the skills spectrum – cognitive to vocational to Andy Haldane interpersonal. Chief Economist, Bank of England 2 Foreword A hundred years ago, as Britain recovered Manchester meetings we heard from adult education from a devastating World War, the Ministry of providers from Brent Council, trades unions, and local Reconstruction published an extraordinarily powerful community groups. report, visionary in its scope and practical in its detail, on the key role adult education had to play in fostering The Centenary Commission on Adult Education was an active democracy, enriching communities, and funded by the independent think tank, the Further nourishing curiosity and a love of learning. Adult Education Trust for Leadership (FETL), whose education was it argued, ‘a permanent national support we acknowledge. Their funding enabled necessity’. us to undertake fascinating case study visits to groups and organisations across Britain, including The authors of the 1919 Report were drawn from a the Welsh Government, the CBI and the TUC, and a spectrum of those with an interest in rejuvenating the economy and society after the devastation of world range of community educational providers. We are war, along with those with experience in delivering grateful too, for the work of our joint secretaries, adult education. Members included the founder of both distinguished Professors at Nottingham and the Workers’ Educational Association. The committee Oxford, John Holford and Jonathan Michie, and our was chaired by the then Master of Balliol, A.L. Smith researcher, Dr Nick Mahony. – given that the University of Oxford was at the forefront then of the ‘university extension movement’. We have been struck by the strength of feeling across the country, and from the full range of organisations, Our Report on Adult Education, published one that it is now vital and urgent to invest in adult hundred years on, like its predecessor comes at a education and lifelong learning – for the good of critical time, as we face a series of social, political, our democracy, society, and economy, and for the economic, technological and demographic challenges. wellbeing of our citizens. This has been conveyed by It aims to be equally visionary in scope and practical representatives of all the main political parties, as well in its detail. Our members again included the Chief as the Welsh and Scottish governments, the CBI and Executive of the Workers’ Educational Association, as TUC, local government, and an inspirational range of well as the President elect of the CBI, a senior trade community organisations, including informal groups unionist, and leading voluntary and educational sector practitioners. Most of its members came from England who have come together to try collectively to make but we had members from Wales and Scotland, too. sense of the world around us. As for the 1919 Report, the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Central Government Supply Estimates 2006-07
    Central Government Supply Estimates 2006–07 Winter Supplementary Estimates and New Estimates November 2006 HC 2 Central Government Supply Estimates 2006–07 for the year ending 31 March 2007 Winter Supplementary Estimates and New Estimates Presented by Command of Her Majesty Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 21st November 2006 HC 2 LONDON – THE STATIONERY OFFICE £45.00 © Crown Copyright 2006 The text in this document (excluding the Royal Arms and departmental logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and the title of the document specified. Any enquiries relating to the copyright in this document should be addressed to The Licensing Division, HMSO, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ. Fax: 01603 723000 or e-mail: [email protected] Contents Page Section 1 Introduction 3 Supplementary, New and Revised Estimates 3 Total Estimates to Date 3 Public Expenditure 3 Departmental Expenditure Limits 4 Administration Costs 4 Provisional outturn for the first half of 2005–06 4 Parliamentary Procedure 5 Format of Supplementary Estimates 5 Appropriations in Aid5 Symbols 6 Appendix Tables 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 7 Section 2 Supplementary Estimates 20 Section 3 New Estimates 419 TREASURY CHAMBERS JOHN HEALEY 21 November 2006 1 Winter Supplementary Estimates, 2006–07 2 Winter Supplementary Estimates, 2006–07 Section 1. Introduction 1. Supply Estimates are the means by which the Government seeks from Parliament sufficient funds and fresh parliamentary authority for the bulk of its own expenditure each year.
    [Show full text]
  • Ending Gang and Youth Violence: a Cross-Government Report Including Further Evidence and Good Practice Case Studies
    Ending Gang and Youth Violence: A Cross-Government Report including further evidence and good practice case studies Published by TSO (The Stationery Office) and available from: Online www.tsoshop.co.uk Mail, telephone, fax and email TSO PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN Telephone orders/general enquiries: 0870 600 5522 Order through the Parliamentary Hotline Lo-Call 0845 7 023474 Fax orders: 0870 600 5533 Email: [email protected] Textphone: 0870 240 3701 £20.50 The Parliamentary Bookshop 12 Bridge Street, Parliament Square, London SW1A 2JX Telephone orders/general enquiries: 020 7219 3890 Fax orders: 020 7219 3866 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.bookshop.parliament.uk TSO@Blackwell and other accredited agents Ending Gang and Youth Violence A Cross-Government Report including further evidence and good practice case studies © Crown copyright 2011 You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov. uk/doc/open-government-licence/ or e-mail: psi@ nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at Violent and Youth Crime Prevention Unit, 4th floor Fry Building ISBN: 9780108511066 Home Office London, SW1P 4DF Printed in the UK for The Stationery Office or [email protected] Limited The Government Command Paper 8211 is ID P002461021 11/11 available from our website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/knife-gun- Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre gang-youth-violence/ content minimum.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter Appearing in the Guardian Newspaper from All Heads Of
    This letter appeared in the Guardian on 4 June from all Heads of Colleges Dear Sir, The events in the US dramatise the consequences of allowing deeply embedded racist attitudes to be subject to too little challenge. Conscious and unconscious racial bias, and inaction in addressing them, remain prevalent across many institutions. We write in a personal capacity as heads of Oxford Colleges to reassert our belief in the need to promote, protect and advance equal dignity and respect, diversity of thought, good race relations, tolerance and multi culturalism in our institutions and the world. We acknowledge the role that education can play in building racial equality and fair inclusion of black voices and perspectives in society. We recognise and regret that, for black members of our community, the unfolding crisis together with the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on their communities has caused them particular anxiety, anger and pain. We stand with them during these difficult moments with hope that, through the global mobilisation of many against these injustices, through education, discussion, and peaceful protest, we may work together towards a world free of systemic racism and discrimination. Will Hutton, Hertford College Alan Rusbridger, Lady Margaret Hall John Bowers, Brasenose College Sir Tim Hitchens, Wolfson College Judith Buchanan, St Peters College Maggie Snowling, St Johns College Denise Lievesley, Green Templeton College Helen Mountfield, Mansfield College Miles Young, New College Kathy Willis, St Edmund Hall Lionel Tarassenko,
    [Show full text]
  • Written Evidence
    House of Commons Home Affairs Committee UK Border Controls Seventeenth Report of Session 2010–12 Volume II Additional written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be published 17 January 2012 Published on 19 January 2012 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited The Home Affairs Committee The Home Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Home Office and its associated public bodies. Current membership Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP (Labour, Leicester East) (Chair) Nicola Blackwood MP (Conservative, Oxford West and Abingdon) James Clappison MP (Conservative, Hertsmere) Michael Ellis MP (Conservative, Northampton North) Lorraine Fullbrook MP (Conservative, South Ribble) Dr Julian Huppert MP (Liberal Democrat, Cambridge) Steve McCabe MP (Labour, Birmingham Selly Oak) Rt Hon Alun Michael MP (Labour & Co-operative, Cardiff South and Penarth) Bridget Phillipson MP (Labour, Houghton and Sunderland South) Mark Reckless MP (Conservative, Rochester and Strood) Mr David Winnick MP (Labour, Walsall North) The following members were also members of the committee during the parliament. Mr Aidan Burley MP (Conservative, Cannock Chase) Mary Macleod MP (Conservative, Brentford and Isleworth) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at www.parliament.uk/homeaffairscom.
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes of Proceedings 2007-08 for Website
    Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Minutes of Proceeding 2007–08 1 Proceedings of the Committee Wednesday 7 November 2007 Members present: Mr Michael Jack, in the Chair Mr David Drew David Taylor Mr James Gray Mr Roger Williams Lynne Jones 1. The UK Government’s “Vision for the Common Agricultural Policy” The Committee considered this matter. Draft Report (The UK Government’s “Vision for the Common Agricultural Policy”: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2006–07), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. The draft Report was agreed to; the formal minutes relating to the consideration of the Report are published in the First Report of the Committee, HC 48. 2. Flooding The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee visit Lyon in connection with its inquiry into Flooding and that the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit. 3. Badgers and Cattle TB: Final Report of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB The Committee considered this matter. 4. Flooding The Committee further considered this matter. Professor Edmund Penning-Rowsell, Head of Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University and Professor Howard Wheater, Imperial College, London, gave oral evidence. [Adjourned till Monday 12 November at 4.15 p.m. 2 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Minutes of Proceedings 2007–08 Monday 12 November 2007 Members present: Mr Michael Jack, in the Chair Mr David Taylor Mr Roger Williams Four Members not being present, the Chairman adjourned the Committee until Wednesday 14 November at 2.30 p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Master 1 Farewell To
    NEWS AND FEATURES FROM THE BALLIOL COMMUNITY | JUNE 2018 A NEW MASTER 1 Visit from the Met Commissioner 9 Social media: a threat to democracy? 20 FAREWELL TO SIR How Balliol won University Challenge 28 DRUMMOND BONE 4 Balliol entrepreneurs 39 34 16 JUNE 2018 FROM THE MASTER 1 COLLEGE NEWS 30 New Fellows 2 A class act 4 Portrait of Professor Sir Drummond Bone 6 Deans on display 6 Awards 7 New Domestic Bursar 8 Visit from the Met Commissioner 9 New Outreach Officer 10 Admissions video 10 9 Our Oxford trip 11 Chinese visitors 12 4 Groundbreaking ceremony at the Master’s Field 13 STUDENT NEWS Horses and art in Northern Plains tribes 14 Having a blast in Bangladesh 16 Balliol climbers at BUCS 16 Photo of single atom wins national competition 17 26 Orchestra tour 17 Judo medal 17 JCR introduces CAFG officers 18 First place in an international finance competition 18 BOOKS AND RESEARCH #VoteLeave or #StrongerIn 19 Target democracy 20 Dynamics, vibration and uncertainty 22 Bookshelf 24 14 BALLIOL PAST AND PRESENT Balliol College, Oxford OX1 3BJ Nicholas Crouch reconstructed 26 www.balliol.ox.ac.uk How Balliol won University Challenge 28 Copyright © Balliol College, Oxford, 2018 The Garden Quad in Wartime 30 Tutorials remembered 32 Editor: Anne Askwith (Publications and Web Officer) Walking in the footsteps of Belloc 32 Editorial Adviser: Nicola Trott (Senior Tutor) Design and printing: Ciconi Ltd ALUMNI STORIES Front cover: Balliol’s first female Master, Dame Helen Ghosh DCB Social enterprise in Rwanda 33 (photograph by Rob Judges), who took up her position in April 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chronicle 2015-2016
    St Hugh’s College Oxford A record of news, events and achievements within the St Hugh’s College community for the academic year 2015-16 CHRONICLE October 2015 - September 2016 ST HUGH’S COLLEGE CHRONICLE 2015-16 Editorial Helen Popescu (English, 2006), Publications Officer The writing of this Editorial could not come at a more appropriate time for me. In the ten years since I matriculated, I have been fortunate to remain involved with College throughout. Now, as I prepare to leave my role as Publications Officer, it is a great pleasure to reflect on how the College has evolved and grown in this time. I hope that this Chronicle evinces some of the great strengths of the past academic year, and gives reason to trust that these can be matched and surpassed in the year to come. Many of the reports in the Chronicle, and particularly those of the JCR and MCR, celebrate the diversity of human experience generated by bringing together gifted students from an enormous variety of backgrounds. This has always been, and must remain, the core of College’s purpose, especially when the uncertainty following the decision for the UK to leave the European Union has been so pervasive. This year’s ‘Articles by Alumni’ focus on unusual paths taken after leaving College. If I could share any advice with my first year undergraduate self, it would be that choosing an uncommon career trajectory, although daunting, is also incredibly gratifying. It was such a delight this year to receive many reports of our alumni’s achievements in a variety of different fields – thank you to all those of you who shared your news.
    [Show full text]
  • A Catholic Woman Is Appointed Master of Balliol College, Oxford
    A catholic woman is appointed master of Balliol College, Oxford Dame Helen Ghosh Oxford flyer: as debate over the glass ceiling intensifies a catholic woman is appointed master of Balliol College When The Tablet published its list of the 100 most influential Catholics two years ago, during its 175th anniversary year, Dame Helen Ghosh told me that her children devoured it, fascinated by the prominent public figures whose bedrock is their faith. Ghosh herself was at number four, a reflection of her role as Director-General of the National Trust. If The Tablet were to publish the list today, Ghosh might be at number one, given her achievements in the Civil Service, the charity sector and now at the top in education. Last week, it was announced that she is leaving the Trust to become Master of Balliol College, Oxford. The appointment made headlines, not only because Oxbridge affairs still count as newsworthy but also as evidence of women breaking the glass ceiling, during a week dominated by the debate over gender inequality at the BBC. But Ghosh’s story is significant also for reasons that bring us back to that list of influential Catholics. Her CV tells a tale of Catholics moving from being outsiders to insiders, from being distrusted as not quite properly British to becoming, in the words of the constitutional historian Peter Hennessy – also a Catholic – “the entirely trusted stealth minority”. The appointment of a Catholic Director-General at the BBC in 1969 provoked Home Office memos; it is unlikely that the dons at Balliol will eye Ghosh over the dry sherry as not quite the ticket.
    [Show full text]
  • 2011 Reform Scorecard
    2011 Reform scorecard Dale Bassett Thomas Cawston Andrew Haldenby Patrick Nolan Nick Seddon Will Tanner Kimberley Trewhitt February 2011 2011 Reform Scorecard The authors Dale Bassett is Research Director at Reform Thomas Cawston is a Researcher at Reform Andrew Haldenby is Director of Reform Patrick Nolan is Chief Economist at Reform Nick Seddon is Deputy Director of Reform Will Tanner is a Researcher at Reform Kimberley Trewhitt is a Researcher at Reform 1 Reform Reform is an independent, non-party think tank whose mission is to set out a better way to deliver public services and economic prosperity. Reform is a registered charity, the Reform Research Trust, charity no. 1103739. This publication is the property of the Reform Research Trust. We believe that by reforming the public sector, increasing investment and extending choice, high quality services can be made available for everyone. Our vision is of a Britain with 21st Century healthcare, high standards in schools, a modern and efficient transport system, safe streets, and a free, dynamic and competitive economy. 2 2011 Reform scorecard Dale Bassett Thomas Cawston Andrew Haldenby Patrick Nolan Nick Seddon Will Tanner Kimberley Trewhitt February 2011 3 2011 Reform Scorecard Contents Executive summary 5 Policy league table 8 Implementation scorecard 9 1. The case for change 10 2. The big ideas of successful reform 12 3. The 1997-2010 legacy 16 4. Evaluation of the Coalition 22 5. An air of unreality 40 6. Recommendations 44 References 45 Appendix 49 4 2011 Reform Scorecard Executive summary In his major speech of 17 January 2011, David Cameron said: “I want one of the great achievements of this Government to be the complete modernisation of our public services.” That objective is right and made all the more urgent by the grim state of the public finances.
    [Show full text]
  • (Chairman) James of Blackheath, L Plumb, L Powell of Bayswater, L Walpole, L ______
    MONDAY 13 JULY 2009 ________________ Present Bradshaw, L Dykes, L Freeman, L (Chairman) James of Blackheath, L Plumb, L Powell of Bayswater, L Walpole, L ________________ Witnesses: Dame Helen Ghosh, Permanent Secretary, and Mr David Steele, Head of Branch, EUIC, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, examined. Q1 Chairman: We are now in public session. May I first of all welcome the Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dame Helen Ghosh. We are extremely grateful to you and your colleagues for coming. Just before I ask the first few questions, perhaps for the record you would be kind enough to introduce yourself and your colleague. Dame Helen Ghosh: Indeed, I am Helen Ghosh and I am the Permanent Secretary at Defra, where I have been Permanent Secretary since November 2005. Mr Steele: I am David Steele. I am in our European Union and International Coordination Division and I supervise the people who do scrutiny in that division. Q2 Chairman: Perhaps I could set the tone for this afternoon session, which I would anticipate will be around 30 to 35 minutes. We are trying to do our job and you are trying to do your job in the Department, therefore the Committee wants really a joint effort to try and resolve any procedural problems that have arisen, in particular the delay that sometimes occurs in our response and any advice that you can offer as to what the Department is seeking to do to improve procedure and also any advice you have for the Committee. I would just like for the record to read the following opening statement.
    [Show full text]
  • Oxfordcomes to Oxfordcomes To
    OXFORD OXFORD ALUMNI WEEKENDcomes to SAN comes FRANCISCO to NEW YORK LETTER from THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR LOUISE RICHARDSON Dear Oxonians and Friends, My colleagues and I are delighted to extend this invitation to you to join us at the 2020 Oxford North American Alumni Weekend. The University has not held an Alumni Weekend in New York since 2014. After successful FRIDAY 17 APRIL excursions to Washington, DC in 2016 and San Francisco in 2018, I am delighted that GALA DINNER our flagship North American event will be CIPRIANI 42ND STREET returning to the city that is home to one of © John Cairns Photo 110 EAST 42ND STREET the largest and most dynamic Oxonian communities in the world. NEW YORK, NY 10017 In the pages that follow, you will find a description of the weekend’s programme. The academic sessions -- on subjects ranging from Britain’s place in the world post-Brexit, to the ways SATURDAY 18 APRIL in which our museums and libraries have embraced modern ACADEMIC PROGRAM technologies to interpret and illuminate the past -- promise to be as stimulating as they are informative. There will also be a series of THE PIERRE HOTEL gatherings hosted by the Colleges, Departments, and other 2 EAST 61ST STREET University groups that will provide ample opportunities for NEW YORK, NY 10065 reconnecting and socializing. The North American Alumni Weekends are a wonderful way to meet former students and current academics and to learn about recent developments at the University. Happily, 2019 was an extraordinarily successful year for Oxford so I look forward to updating you on these exciting initiatives.
    [Show full text]
  • Dame Helen Ghosh DCB (Née Kirkby, Modern History, 1973)
    Dame Helen Ghosh DCB (née Kirkby, Modern History, 1973) Dame Helen Ghosh became Balliol College’s first female Master in 2018. She previously served as Director General of the National Trust from 2012, following a distinguished career in the Civil Service. Helen came up to St Hugh’s in 1973 and went on to achieve a First in Modern History before moving to Hertford College as a Senior Scholar to complete her MLitt on the cultural history of sixth-century Italy. On leaving Oxford, Helen embarked on a career in the Civil Service, where she worked for 33 years in a variety of government departments, including the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Cabinet Office, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Department for Work and Pensions. Between 2005 and 2010 she was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and from 2010 she served as Permanent Secretary at the Home Office. While a civil servant, she was the first - and so far the only - woman to serve as Permanent Secretary of one of the three "great Departments of State" (Treasury, Foreign Office, Home Office). Helen was elected an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh’s College by Governing Body in 2007 in recognition of her distinguished career. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Bath in the 2008 Birthday Honours. She left the Civil Service in 2012 to become Director General of the National Trust before moving to Balliol in 2018. We were delighted to catch up with Helen in an interview for the 2017 edition of the College Magazine just as she was about to become Master of Balliol.
    [Show full text]