University News Last updated 12 July 2016
Education Commissioner for Birmingham Sir Mike Tomlinson is to be awarded with an Honorary Doctorate at a Birmingham City University graduation ceremony later this month.
A graduate of Durham University, Mike spent 13 years in teaching before joining Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in 1978.
On the creation of OFSTED in 1992, Mike became Deputy Director of Inspection and in 1995 was named Director of Inspection. In December 2000, he was appointed as HM Chief Inspector and Head of OFSTED, retiring from the post in April 2002.
From June 2002 to September 2007, Mike was Chair of the Learning Trust, a body set up to manage the education service in Hackney. He led the inquiry into the A Level grading issue in 2002, and in January 2003 became the Chair of the Working Group set up by the Government to propose reform of the curriculum and qualifications for 14-19 year olds. The final set of proposals were published in October 2004.
Mike was honoured with a CBE in June 1997, and in January 2005 he was awarded a Knighthood. He was appointed as Education Commissioner for Birmingham in 2014, where he works jointly with Birmingham City Council to oversee improvements to the standards of education in the city.
He said: “On learning of this award I was surprised and felt honoured that Birmingham City University should consider my work in education to warrant such recognition. I hope my recent links with Birmingham’s education scene will continue following this award.”
Mike will receive his award on Tuesday 26 July at the Awards Congregation ceremony, held at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, which will celebrate the work and achievements of students graduating from the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences.