Cecilia Galloway
Encyclopedia
Cecilia Galloway has been a headmistress, both in England
and Northern Ireland
. Born in 1955, she studied chemistry at Leeds University. Later gaining an MSc
degree at Reading University, she was accepted as a Fellow by the Royal Society of Chemistry
and given Chartered Chemist
status. She has a law degree from Buckingham University.
Entering the teaching profession in 1978 at the Wolverhampton Grammar School for Boys, she taught chemistry for the early part of her career, moving on into school management. Joining the Royal Latin School
as their first female headteacher in 1992, she developed the school from 700 pupils to its current 1200.
In 1999 she was described as providing "inspirational leadership" by John Bercow
MP, in the House of Commons
.
In 2000, she was awarded for "Contribution to School Leadership in a Secondary School". An Ofsted Inspector herself, Ofsted
praised her leadership, saying: "The leadership and management of the school are particularly efficient with the vision and drive of the headteacher outstanding"." Under her guidance the school obtained Investors in People
status, gained a Silver Artsmark award, and was designated a Specialist school
in Science.
In 2006 Galloway once again took the title of first female head teacher, this time at the Methodist College Belfast
. Taking her "democratic", "transparent" and "straight-talking" leadership style with her, she introduced changes to the school. It was reported that these changes were not received well, with one newspaper claiming that staff compared her to Alan Sugar
. Rumours later circulated that Galloway was to leave the post after only a year, something she denied. However in October 2006 she announced her resignation, citing personal reasons including "difficulties relocating to Belfast from England" and "problems with buying and selling property and the management of her husband's business interests".
She is a staunch supporter of academic selection, also known as Eleven plus
, and spoke recently at a conference in Belfast
on the subject of Government plans to stop schools selecting pupils based on academic ability.
Whilst headteacher at the Royal Latin School, she introduced 'High Expectations for All' as a motto in addition to the original 'Alle May God Amende', which dated from 1423 .
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Born in 1955, she studied chemistry at Leeds University. Later gaining an MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
degree at Reading University, she was accepted as a Fellow by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new...
and given Chartered Chemist
Chartered Chemist
Chartered Chemist is a chartered status awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry in the United Kingdom and by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute in Australia....
status. She has a law degree from Buckingham University.
Entering the teaching profession in 1978 at the Wolverhampton Grammar School for Boys, she taught chemistry for the early part of her career, moving on into school management. Joining the Royal Latin School
Royal Latin School
The Royal Latin School is a co-educational grammar school in Buckingham, England. In September 2011 the school became an Academy.. It takes children from the age of 11 through to the age of 18 and has over 1260 pupils, including a sixth form of 390 pupils. It maintains a staff of over 160...
as their first female headteacher in 1992, she developed the school from 700 pupils to its current 1200.
In 1999 she was described as providing "inspirational leadership" by John Bercow
John Bercow
John Simon Bercow is a British politician who has been the Speaker of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom since June 2009. Prior to his election to Speaker he was a member of the Conservative party....
MP, in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
.
In 2000, she was awarded for "Contribution to School Leadership in a Secondary School". An Ofsted Inspector herself, Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
praised her leadership, saying: "The leadership and management of the school are particularly efficient with the vision and drive of the headteacher outstanding"." Under her guidance the school obtained Investors in People
Investors in People
Launched in 1991 Investors in People is a business improvement tool administered by UK Commission for Employment and Skills and supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills ....
status, gained a Silver Artsmark award, and was designated a Specialist school
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
in Science.
In 2006 Galloway once again took the title of first female head teacher, this time at the Methodist College Belfast
Methodist College Belfast
Methodist College Belfast , styled locally as Methody, is a voluntary grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, one of eight Northern Irish schools represented on the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, and is a member of the Independent Schools Council...
. Taking her "democratic", "transparent" and "straight-talking" leadership style with her, she introduced changes to the school. It was reported that these changes were not received well, with one newspaper claiming that staff compared her to Alan Sugar
Alan Sugar
Alan Michael Sugar, Baron Sugar is a British entrepreneur, media personality and political advisor. From humble origins in the East End of London, Sugar now has an estimated fortune of £770m , and was ranked 89th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2011...
. Rumours later circulated that Galloway was to leave the post after only a year, something she denied. However in October 2006 she announced her resignation, citing personal reasons including "difficulties relocating to Belfast from England" and "problems with buying and selling property and the management of her husband's business interests".
She is a staunch supporter of academic selection, also known as Eleven plus
Eleven plus
In the United Kingdom, the 11-plus or Eleven plus is an examination administered to some students in their last year of primary education, governing admission to various types of secondary school. The name derives from the age group for secondary entry: 11–12 years...
, and spoke recently at a conference in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
on the subject of Government plans to stop schools selecting pupils based on academic ability.
Whilst headteacher at the Royal Latin School, she introduced 'High Expectations for All' as a motto in addition to the original 'Alle May God Amende', which dated from 1423 .