A LEADING figure in education, who has served tirelessly for the past 43 years, was honoured for her work by officially being awarded a Damehood.
Princess Anne bestowed the honour of Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on Chief Executive of Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust Maura Regan, at a ceremony in Windsor Castle, after being listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Dame Maura, of Sedgefield, said: “It was a wonderful experience and I feel honoured and humble to receive this in such an important year, that of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
“I remain proud to be the CEO of Bishop Hogarth CET and for the opportunities it has afforded me. Having been in education since 1979 it is a genuine pleasure to have had a positive impact on the lives of so many children and staff over the years.”
Raised in Fishburn, County Durham, a miner’s daughter, Dame Maura began her career in London teaching history and RE, returning to the North East to take a pastoral role before becoming deputy head pastoral and subsequently principal of Carmel College, Darlington.
As the architect of Carmel Education Trust, she became its founding CEO having led the successful transformation of Carmel College from a single outstanding college to the lead school in a multi-academy trust. Maura was awarded the OBE in the 2015 New Year’s Honours for services to education. She is also a Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham.
As a result of the Bishop Robert’s plan for the diocese, the trust amalgamated with two others to form Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, which this year will comprise 35 primary and secondary schools, a leading organisation recognised nationally
In her role as a National Leader for Education Dame Maura and her leadership team have supported schools across the region and nationally.
Carmel College is one of the top performing schools nationally and is a Maths Hub, leads a Science Learning Partnership and is a designated Research School. Carmel College has a long history of Initial Teacher Training.
Dame Maura works with the DfE and has supported a number of Trusts nationally through the Tailored Support and Trust Support programmes.
She is a Trustee of Schools North East, a Director of The Emmanuel Schools Foundation and a Governor of Durham School.
Dame Maura is regularly invited to address national audiences on a range of educational initiatives, especially on the benefits and complexities of establishing and leading a multi-academy trust in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity and support for the common good. She is a keynote speaker for the Catholic Education Service National Executive Leader programme.
A member of the National Advisory Group looking at recruitment and retention among teachers, she is also a member of the sub-group working with the DfE on the Opportunity North East Programme established by the Secretary of State.
She has championed the Just Change Campaign on behalf of Citizens UK (Tyne and Wear division), which seeks to ensure that free school meal children receive their full entitlement.
Passionate about making a difference, Dame Maura believes that “every child should be given every opportunity to succeed”.
She added: “Children are at the centre of everything I do and the Trust works to ensure it is shaping futures and fulfilling dreams.”