Honorary Fellowship Award for Headmaster
The Headmaster writes about his experience of receiving the award of an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Worcester last week:
“I was extremely surprised and honoured to receive a letter from the University of Worcester offering me the award of an Honorary Fellowship. The award was to be conferred upon me at a Graduation ceremony on 2 November. The reason for the award was to show ‘profound appreciation for your significant contribution to the region, including your commitment to cultivating a learning environment in which each pupil is cared for individually, valued equally and encouraged to achieve their full potential.’
It was with some trepidation that I attended the event a week last Wednesday. The day began with my PA, Jill, telling me that I was in the Worcester News that morning. We set off for The Old Palace next to Worcester Cathedral where we met the Senior staff of the University, including Professor David Green, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. I also met Mrs Catriona Robinson, Head of the School of Education at the University, who was to read a citation at the ceremony proposing me for the Honorary Fellowship. We enjoyed a number of photographs and refreshments before attending the event itself.
The Graduation ceremony was one of twelve such ceremonies that the University of Worcester held from Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 November. The ceremony I attended was at midday and involved the students from the University who had completed their degrees in Education-related courses last summer. After processing in to the Cathedral wearing full academic robes, the first set of Graduates were presented and awarded their degree certificates to much clapping and celebrating by the audience which, with every seat taken in the Cathedral, must have numbered about 1,000 people. Midway through the ceremony, I was then presented and the citation was read. I received a certificate from the Deputy Pro Chancellor and the Vice President of the College of Fellows.
The citation summarised my career as a History teacher, Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Head, Senior Deputy and then as 42nd Headmaster of RGS Worcester and Executive Head of The RGS Family of Schools. It emphasised the achievements we have seen at RGS Worcester and the work that we do with the University and the local community.
The whole event was an incredibly uplifting and, at the same time, humbling experience. I was both amazed and delighted to be presented in front of such a large audience in the magnificent surroundings of the Cathedral. My family were there – Anna, my wife, my three children, Jack, Katy and James, and my mother, Gill. They were all mentioned in my citation for their support and contribution, exactly as I had asked. They are, and always will be, a support team, always keeping my feet on the ground and reminding me about what is most important. When I sat back down the Vice-President said, “Your father would have been very proud” (she knew Dad passed away last December) and I was extremely moved.
The citation stated the most important point which I would like to emphasise here – that such an award is due to everyone in the RGS family. To receive such recognition is lovely for any individual, but it should be celebrated as a remarkable team effort. The award of an Honorary Fellowship was given because of all that we have achieved by everyone working together – I have the privilege of being the figurehead as Head – but it is the work done by those with whom I work every day that is really being acknowledged. So, while I am extremely honoured to have all the hard work recognised in a public way, and I am immensely grateful to Professor Green and his team for doing so, I feel everyone at RGS – pupils, staff and parents – should feel this is acknowledgement for the exceptional way we work together and all that has been achieved in our RGS Worcester Family of Schools over the past 8 years.
It was lovely to see so many young people receiving their Graduation certificates in Education and to be a part of such a celebratory event. Upon returning to the Old Palace, we met the Rt Hon Justine Greening, former Cabinet Minister and former Minister for Education, who was receiving an Honorary Doctorate at the next Graduation event later that afternoon!
My very grateful thanks to Professor Green, Mrs Robinson and the University of Worcester, and thank you also to everyone at RGS for giving me the opportunity to receive the award of an Honorary Fellowship – which is something I will always treasure”.
John Pitt, Headmaster 
