Educational leader honoured for services to local schools

An educational leader from Reading has been awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her services to local schools.

Ginny Rhodes, founding Chief Executive Officer of The Circle Trust, a multi-academy trust in the Reading and Wokingham area, received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in a ceremony on Tuesday 16 July.

Rhodes joined the University of Reading as an undergraduate studying Film and Drama, BA Hons in 1989 and remained to complete her Post Graduate Certificate in Education, meaning she has been a fully qualified teacher for more than 30 years.

During her teaching career, she worked in schools local to the University. Latterly, she was headteacher at St Crispin’s School in Wokingham, a large mixed comprehensive secondary school. 

Today, schools in The Circle Trust span from infant schools with nursery provision to secondary schools with sixth forms, serving more than 5,000 pupils and 500 employees. The Trust has a close relationship with the University of Reading and the Institute of Education, hosting trainee teachers for many years. 

Rhodes’ impact in the education sector extends to acting as a Governor at Wellington College; serving as a Trustee for AQA, the country’s largest exam board; being a Lead OFSTED Inspector; and a key member of PIXL, a collaboration which supports school leaders with school improvement. 

Dr Sarah Marston, from the University’s Institute of Education, said: “This honorary degree recognises Ginny’s unwavering drive and passion for transforming lives through education and her continued success in creating a culture and legacy within our community that focuses on educational excellence for all. 

“Ginny is a selfless leader and is very firmly centred on enhancing diversity, developing trust and empowering people to be the best they can be.”