Emily Hollis MBE has been awarded an honorary degree from The Open University (OU) for devoting her career to promoting educational inclusion and raising standards for all.
A distinguished educator, and passionate advocate for inclusion, Emily was presented with the honorary degree of Master of the University for her services to education and culture at the recent graduation ceremony held at The Barbican, London.
In accepting the award, she reflected on her own life experience and how it has shaped her drive to create more equal access to education:
“This was extremely unexpected, but truly gratefully received. Growing up on a council estate in Catford, I never would have believed that I would be standing here today with an MBE, Honorary masters, and having been a head teacher by my mid 30s.
“I hope that others can be inspired to never give up as you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.”
Her diverse roles have spanned teaching English, humanities and social sciences, to leadership positions as Head of Humanities, Director of Teaching and Learning through to primary, senior school and further education headship with specialisms in special educational needs and disabilities and safeguarding.
And Emily’s influence extends far beyond the walls of educational institutions. She’s the founder of the impactful educational support organisation, F is not for Phonics, providing free phonics learning aids and coaching services. Emily was also a trustee for Team Tanzania, a charity championing education and healthcare initiatives, and a regional coordinator for the National Association of Designated Safeguarding Leads (NADSL), a professional membership organisation focusing on safeguarding.
These efforts, alongside numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from She Inspires, Fellowship of the Chartered College of Teaching and global education recognition, have culminated in her appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2021.
During the ceremony, Emily spoke about her motivation and dreams of creating social mobility and educational equity – a mission that she shares with the OU:
“No person should be held back or prevented from achieving. The Open University completely embodies this – a university created to give everyone, anywhere, the possibility and power to learn.
“No one’s chances of success should be hindered due to economic disadvantage. The OU pioneers for social inclusion and equity of opportunity. I like to hope that the work I’ve done has helped towards making education and learning accessible to all, which is the OU’s mission.”
