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14/07/2025
An ‘outstanding’ secondary head also received an honorary doctorate on the first day of the University’s graduation week.
Professor Geoff Ashton was made Doctor of Education (EdD) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Education.
Geoff has been judged by Ofsted to be an outstanding secondary head on two occasions and is regarded as an expert in the present educational landscape.
He described the award as a “great honour” and went on to say that recruiting teachers currently was “very very difficult”. He encouraged the students to consider training to be teachers.
“I say to you or any of your friends, if you would like to inspire young people, break down barriers to learning, identify and fuel potential, have a positive impact on society, support young people with specific needs, believe in collaboration, be a role model, have patience and resilience and most of all have a sense of humour, I would ask you to seriously consider training as a teacher,” he said.
Geoff was an Education Adviser to the Secretary of States for Education for 15 years until 2019 and has been responsible for the successful educational structures and deliverables of more than 130 academies, 11 UTCs, two studio schools and six free schools.
A Director of seven companies, Geoff was a governor of Wigan University Technical College and a Founder Board Member of Wigan Youth Zone.
He is presently a trustee/director of two Multi Academy Trusts in Northern England.
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